Egypt has granted Sudanese director Saeed Hamed permanent residency, exempting him from normal procedures in appreciation for "national stances that reflect his contributions to the country."
Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Immigration said the decision affirms Egypt's interest in the citizens of brotherly nation Sudan who reside in the country.
Hamed was born in Khartoum in 1958 and graduated in cinematography editing at Egypt's Higher Institute of Cinema in 1983.
He started his working career as an assistant director for many renowned Egyptian directors like Saad Arafa, Sherif Arafa, Mohamed Khan and Raafat El-Meehy.
He directed his first movie, Al-Hobb fel-tallaaga (Refrigerated Love) in 1989. Nine years later he directed one of Egyptian cinema's smash hit movies, Saeedy fel-Gamaa El-Amrikeyya (Upper Egyptian in American University), starring comedian Mohamed Heneidy, which earned EGP 27 million at the box office.
Among notable movies he directed are Hammaam in Amsterdam, Ga’ana Al-Bayan Al-Taly (Breaking News), A Short T-shirt and a Cap, and Tabbaakh El-Rayyes (The President’s Cook), which all saw success in terms of revenues and public recognition.
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