In pics: 3rd edition of Sharm El-Sheikh Asian Film Festival kicks off

CAIRO – 3 March 2019: The third edition of Sharm El-Sheikh Asian Film Festival, headed by director Magdy Ahmed Ali kicked off on March 2 and will run until March 8.

"This edition will be different with the artists' support; this festival is the only Asian one in Egypt," said Ali in his speech, adding that Egypt is able to create stability and peace and combat terrorism.

The festival management selected China to be the festival’s guest of honor.

Renowned Egyptian actress, script writer, producer and TV presenter Esaad Younis is the honorary president of the festival.

The festival honored in its opening ceremony veteran actor Lotfy Labib, renowned actress Hala Sedky, Egyptian director Aly el-Ghazouly and great cinema critic and artistic director of Cairo International Film Festival Youssef Sherif Rizkallah.

The opening ceremony housed a lot of dancing shows. Additionally,famed Azerbaijani singer and actress Dilara Kazimova performed in the opening ceremony some of her dazzling songs.

The festival dedicated this edition to late great actress Souad Hosny. Hosny was honoured with a trophy that was given to her sister. South Sinai Governor Khaled Fouda attended the opening ceremony.

Critic Mohamed Sayed Abdel Rahim, artistic director of the festival, declared that the head of the jury of the long feature film competition will be veteran Chinese director Xie Fei, who has been granted several international awards for the movies he directed.

Abdel Rahim said that the Chinese film "The Rib" directed by Zhang Wei is competing in the long feature film competition, whereas the Chinese film “Mr Big” is competing in the long documentary competition.

Several modern Chinese films screened during the festival’s opening ceremony, portraying the modern Chinese film making industry and the progress it achieved along the years.

The festival’s opening ceremony was held in cooperation with the Chinese Cultural Center, which presented a traditional Chinese dance during the festival’s opening.