Sabry the 1st Arab actress to win Starlight Cinema Award from VIFF

CAIRO – 7 September 2019: Famed Egyptian-Tunisian star Hend Sabry was awarded Starlight Cinema Award from Venice International Film Festival to be the first Arab actress to win such prestigious award.

Sabry participates in Toronto International Film Festival with her Tunisian movie ''Noura Tehlam'' (Noura Dreams).

''Noura Tehlam'' is Sabry’s comeback to Tunisian cinema this year. The film is directed by Hinde Boujemaa.

The movie tells the story of Noura, a wife and mother who decides to run away after meeting the love of her life, Lassaad, while her husband, Sofiane, is in prison.
''Noura Tehlam'' will be released in Tunisia by the end of 2019. Sabry described the movie as ‘a great adventure.



Sabry previously expressed her pride to be chosen as a jury member of the debut work competition at the 76th edition of Venice Film Festival. Sabry is the first female Arab filmmaker to fill this post.


It is worth mentioning that Venice Film Festival is the world’s oldest film festival.

"I am proud to be one of the jury members of Venice Film Festival and I feel more proud that veteran directors Emir Kusurica and Antoinette Lio will be the jury presidents.
I am happy this participation coincides with the screening of my movie 'El-Feel-el Azra’a(The Blue Elephant) Part 2' which achieved huge success in all the Arab countries.

I wish to be a good Arab ambassador in the oldest festival in the world and one of the three most important festivals in the world," Sabry previously stated on her official Instagram account.

Born in 1979 in Kebli, Tunisia, Sabry studied law and completed a master’s degree in intellectual property and copyright law in 2004, but by then, she had already been acting for about a decade.

She started her acting career in 1994 with the Tunisian film "Samt El Qosour" (The Silence of the Palaces) and starred in "The Season of Men" in 2000.Both movies were directed by Moufida Tlatli.

She was then introduced to the Egyptian cinema by Inas el-Deghedy in 2001 with the film "Mozakerat Morahka" (The Diary of a Teenager), co-starring alongside Ahmed Ezz.

Over the years, Sabry has worked on movies and dramas tackling the difficulties and stigma facing people, especially women, and she serves as the World Food Program’s regional ambassador.

The star has received numerous awards for her cinematic career, artistic achievements and her role in tackling key social issues, including an award by the America Abroad Media organization in Washington.

Sabry got married in 2008 and has been blessed with two daughters, Alia and Laila, who are now 6 and 4, respectively.

Her fans know her as a down-to-earth actress who emits strength, intellect, positivity and character.

Her versatile performance skills have garnered her huge pan-Arab following in a short period of time.

She is the youngest-ever actress to walk away with the Faten Hamama award, being named the most influential Arab actress by Forbes Middle East.

Sabry participated in two successful movies this year, "El-Mamar" (The Passage) and ‘’El-Feel-el-Azra’a part 2".