Amr Salama is an Egyptian film director, producer, and screenwriter. Born in Cairo in 1978, Salama is best known for his critically acclaimed films such as Rags and Tatters, Sheikh Jackson, and Excuse My French, among others. He is also the co-founder of El Gouna Film Festival and the first independent production company in Egypt, Film Clinic.
Salama's career began when he wrote and directed his first short film, A Day in October, in 2001. The short film was selected to be screened at several international film festivals, including the Cairo International Film Festival, and won the Jury Prize at the 8th Mediterranean Film Festival. This success propelled Salama to pursue a career in filmmaking and he went on to direct a number of other short films such as The Long Night (2002) and Al-Raya (2008).
In 2011, Salama released his debut feature film, Rags and Tatters, which tells the story of a group of prisoners who escape from prison during the Egyptian Revolution. The film was highly praised by critics and won several awards including the Best Arab Film Award at the Dubai International Film Festival and the Special Jury Prize at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival.
In 2014, Salama directed his second feature film, Sheikh Jackson, which tells the story of a religious conservative who must confront his past when he hears the news of Michael Jackson's death. The film was awarded the Best Arab Film Award at the Dubai International Film Festival.
In 2017, Salama released his third feature film, Excuse My French, which tells the story of a group of high school students attending a French-language school in Egypt. The film was a critical and commercial success and won multiple awards, including the Best Arab Film Award at the Dubai International Film Festival.
In addition to directing films, Salama is also the co-founder of El Gouna Film Festival, an annual film festival in Egypt which showcases the best of Arab and international cinema. He is also the founder of the first independent production company in Egypt, Film Clinic, which produces and distributes films from the Arab world.
Amr Salama is one of the most acclaimed filmmakers in the Middle East, having earned numerous awards and accolades for his work. He is known for his unique approach to storytelling and his commitment to telling stories that reflect the realities of life in the Arab world.
