Abu Bakr Shawky

📖 Biography

A.B. Shawky (Abu Bakr Shawky) is an acclaimed Egyptian-Austrian filmmaker and screenwriter who made a historic entrance into global cinema. A graduate of Cairo’s Higher Institute of Cinema and holder of an MFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Shawky achieved international prominence when his debut feature film, Yomeddine (2018), was selected for the Main Competition at the 71st Cannes Film Festival to compete for the Palme d'Or, winning the prestigious François Chalais Prize. The film was also chosen as Egypt’s official entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards. Key Credits: Yomeddine (2018) – Writer & Director. Hajjan (2023) – Director. Soy (2026) – Director. Artistic Profile: Revered for his humanistic storytelling and tender realism, Shawky specializes in narratives following marginalized protagonists undertaking transformative journeys, capturing resilience and dignity across striking visual landscapes.