The selection has been made “in recognition of her huge support and involvement in the arts throughout the years,” stated the AIWFF organisers on Monday.
As a TV presenter, she is most known for her long run of the popular program Nadi El-Cinema (“Cinema Club”) which was an important window for Egyptian audiences to keep up with the latest foreign films in the 1980s and 1990s.
“Nadi El-Cinema shed light on the international scene’s most prominent makers and artistic components, including acting, directing, music, photography and editing, which contributed to spreading awareness of the film industry for a whole generation,” added the festival’s statement.
Dorria Sharaf El-Din has served in many important positions, including as president of the Censorship Authority for Artistic Works at the Ministry of Culture, president of the satellite channels sector on Egyptian television and Minister of Information (2013-2104).
She currently serves as head of the Culture, Media and Antiquities Committee in the House of Representatives.
The AIWFF’s 2023 edition is scheduled to take place in Upper Egypt’s historical city of Aswan between 5 and 10 March.
Last month, the AIWFF announced that the first honouree would be Egyptian actress Nabila Ebeid.
There is still the opportunity to enroll in the festivals workshops, as applications are open until 20 January.
The five workshops and programmes include the New Aswan Cinema Project Programme, Film Project Development Workshop, Screenwriting, Animation for Adults and Animation for Children.
The AIWFF is sponsored by a number of public and private entities including the Ministry of Culture, Aswan governorate and other partners.
In the sixth edition held in February last year, over 34 films were screened. The festival honoured Egyptian actress Sawsan Badr, director Inaam Mohamed Aly, French actress and director Marilyne Canto and Somali political strategist Hibaaq Osman.
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