Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor has launched a major initiative in Egypt to support the Arab film industry via Al Habtoor Investment – the investment arm of the Al Habtoor Group. The Al Habtoor's Cultural Initiative for Supporting the Film Industry was announced at star-studded ceremony in the Egyptian capital Cairo on Tuesday 28 March 2017. The event was attended by famous Arab film stars, directors, and some 300 elite members of elite society including Egypt’s Minister of culture HE Dr Helmy Namnam and UAE deputy Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Among the guests at the star-studded ceremony were famous actors and actresses including Ghada Abdel Razek, Laila Elwi, Khaled El Sawy, Elham Shahin, Lebleba, Hala Sedki and Samir Sabri. Also present was well-known Director Daoud Abdel Sayed and Producer Mohamed El Adl.
The Al Habtoor's Cultural Initiative for Supporting Film Industry is aimed at nurturing the Arab film industry by discovering new talent both on and off the screen and influencing young Arab minds through cinema. The initiative highlights the importance of changing Arab minds through the arts; by making films with positive and moral messages about key social issues in the Arab world, rather than just producing films for pure entertainment.
Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Chairman, Al Habtoor Group, said, “We decided to launch the initiative in Egypt because it is the heart of the Arab world’s film industry. Egypt's film sector has a long history, and we consider this nation as the centre stage for this soft power in the Arab World. Through this initiative, we aim to upgrade the status of the Arab entertainment industry, which is unfortunately currently only focused on productions that add nothing to the minds of the Egyptian and Arab youth; only producing movies with little or no moral values," said
The initiative, in collaboration with well-known film director and member of parliament Khaled Youssef, will support films that help provide opportunities in the film industry for young aspiring actors, actresses and filmmakers. It aims to provide opportunities based on creativity and intellect, and not restricted by budgetary constraints.
“With the help of Khaled Youssef, a well-respected filmmaker, we hope to make films that tackle serious societal issues and seek to solve them in a professional manner. Through the initiative, we aim to discover new talent, including actors, film directors and screenwriters. We hope to give opportunities to people who have not yet had the break. This will pump fresh blood into the Arab film industry,” Al Habtoor added.
Khaled Youssef said, “I thank Mr Al Habtoor for this initiative. Al Habtoor's Cultural Initiative for Supporting the Film Industry is a bold step towards upgrading and supporting the film industry in Egypt and the Arab region. I am honoured to be selected to cooperate with the Al Habtoor Investment to launch this initiative, which contributes to creating a new era of valuable films that Arab filmgoers have longed for. We hope these endeavours will make a tangible leap, providing new talent and offering real opportunities."
The Al Habtoor's Cultural Initiative for Supporting Film Industry follows several other investments by Chairman Al Habtoor in Egypt to help support Egyptian youth. He has collaborated with educational institutions, including the American University of Cairo where he funded the Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Track & Stadium, and launched a scholarship programme for 10 students at AUC in perpetuity. He also renovated the School of Engineering at the University of Cairo.