| Amr Arafa عمرو عرفة | |
| Birth Date: | December 9, 1962 |
| Birth Name: | Amr Arafa |
| Birth Place: | Cairo, Egypt |
| Nationality: | Egyptian American |
| Years Active: | 1983–present |
| Father: | Saad Arafa |
| Relatives: | Sherif Arafa (brother) |
| Occupation: | Director |
Amr Arafa (born 9 December 1962), is an Egyptian filmmaker.[1] Considered one of the best filmmakers in Egyptian cinema, Arafa is best known as the director of critically acclaimed award-winning films Africano, Zahaymar, Helm Aziz and Akher Deek Fi Masr.[2]
He was born on 9 December 1962 in Cairo, Egypt. His father Saad Arafa was also a prolific film-maker. Saad was born on April 1, 1923, and died on July 1, 1998. He made several popular films of his generation such as Al E'iteraf, Marzooka and Demoua' Fi Lailat El Zefaf.[3]
Amr's older brother, Sherif Arafa is also a popular filmmaker in Egypt. He was born on December 25, 1960. His most notable films include, Birds of Darkness, Mafia, Halim and Welad El Am.
In 2005, Arafa moved to the United States for graduate school. Then he spent most of his time in the US for 11 years on temporary education. He also formed his own business management consulting company and, later assured green card in 2015.[4]
He started cinema career in 1983 with the footsteps of his father. In 1991, Amr established his own production company, FinalCut Film Production. Since then, he produced and directed numerous films, commercials, TV series and documentaries.[5]
In 2001, he directed and produced his maiden feature film Africano. The film was filmed in South Africa and made its premier on 11 July 2001 in Egypt. The film received critical acclaim and later screened in nearby African countries as well as screened in Europe. In Kuwait, the film made its premier on 31 October 2001 whereas in Greece, it was released at the Greek Film Archive on 28 February 2012.[6]
After his successful maiden film, he continuously performed a successful directing career with the films: Akher Deek Fi Masr (2017), Men 30 Sana (2016), TV Series Saraya Abdeen (2015), Abu El Nil (2013), Helm Aziz (2011), Zahaymar (2010), Ibn el-Qunsul (2009), El Shabah (2008), Gaaltany Mogreman (2006) and El Sefara Fel Emara (2004).
| Year | Film | Role | Genre | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Africano | Director | Film | [7] | |
| 2004 | El Sefara Fel Emara | Director | Film | ||
| 2005 | The Embassy in the Building | Director | Film | ||
| 2006 | She Made Me a Criminal | Director | Film | ||
| 2007 | The Ghost | Director | Film | ||
| 2008 | El Shabah | Director | Film | ||
| 2010 | Zahaymar | Director | Film | [8] | |
| 2011 | Ibn el-Qunsul | Director | Film | ||
| 2012 | Helm Aziz | Director | Film | ||
| 2013 | Samir Abu el-Nil | Director | Film | ||
| 2014 | Saraya Abdeen | Director | TV series | [9] | |
| 2016 | Men 30 Sana | Director | Film | ||
| 2017 | Akher Deek Fi Masr | Director | Film | ||
| 2017 | Lamei Al Qott | Director | TV series |