Egyptian actor and producer Hemida was born in 1953. 

He is known for his versatile performances in cinema and television, with his career peak during the 1990s and early 2000s. 

Hemida kicked off his career in theatre. However, he soon shifted to cinema, where he earned himself a reputation for presenting particularly complex characters in various genres, from drama to historical films.

One of the first roles that shed light on his skills was in the film Al-Rai Wal Nisaa (The Shepherd and the Women, 1991) directed by Ali Badrakhan, in which Hemida starred opposite Soad Hosny and Yousra.

Then came Disco, Disco (1993), Afareet El-Asfalt (Asphalt Demons, 1996), Emraa Wa Khames Rajal (A Woman and Five Men, 1997), and Harb El-Fadda (The Silver War, 1999), among others.

He also played the role of Akhenaten, a powerful ruler of Ancient Egypt, in Youssef Chahine's El-Mohager (The Emigrant, 1994), a film loosely based on the biblical story of Joseph.

Although the film sparked controversy at the time of its screening, El-Mohager became a landmark in Egyptian cinema.

Hemida has other well-known roles, including those in Kaf Alqamar (2011) directed by Khaled Youssef and Gahyem Fel Hind (Hell in India, 2016), a comedy film starring Mohamed Emam and Fouad Bayoumi.

His most recent films include Ahl El Kahf, The Crime, Kira & El Gin, and Ritsa, in which Hemida worked with renowned directors such as Amr Arafa, Sherif Arafa, and Marwan Hamed.

Furthermore, Hemida produces films through his still active production company.

Previously, Hemida had published a filmmaking magazine, with many known journalists and critics on its board.

He also founded a short-lived actors studio that trained up-and-coming talents.

Hemida received numerous Best Actor awards and is frequently honoured at several film festivals, most recently during the Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre (September 2024).

Additionally, he is an honourary president of the Luxor African Film Festival.

Earlier in September, the El Gouna Film Festival announced that Hemida will be given the Career Achievement Award during its upcoming seventh edition (24 October - 1 November).

The annual Oran International Arab Film Festival has become one of the major showcases of Arab cinema on the African continent. 

The festival will also honour three other names from the international cinema industry: French film producer and journalist Michèle Ray-Gavras; Algerian film director and screenwriter Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina; and Greek-French film director and screenwriter Costa-Gavras.

In addition, it will screen dozens of films across its feature-length and short film segments, presenting a selection of fiction and documentaries by Arab and international directors.