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Cairo Film Festival Will Honor Egyptian Actor Lebleba with the Lifetime Achievement Award

Photo: Amina Zaher

Egyptian actor Lebleba, born Ninochka Kupelian, will be honored at the Cairo International Film Festival with the distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award during its 44th edition in November this year.

The announcement was made on the event’s social media accounts by festival head and renowned actor Hussein Fahmy. “We are proud to present CIFF’s Lifetime Achievement Award to the iconic star, Lebleba, who has devotedly contributed to the Egyptian cinema and TV drama as one of the most recognizable Egyptian celebrities throughout her career,” said Fahmy. “Since the early years of her professional journey, Lebleba dedicated her life to the filmmaking industry through her versatile work. Personally, I am honored that I have been part of her long-standing career where I starred alongside her in several films.”

On receiving the award, Lebleba said, “I have been previously honored in different regional and international film festivals, yet I find it very special to receive the honorary Lifetime Achievement Award from Cairo International Film Festival. This award is every Egyptian actor’s dream and I am delighted to stand on the festival’s stage as one of its honorees.”

Born to an Egyptian family in Cairo with Armenian ancestry, Lebleba kicked off her acting career at the age of five as a theater prodigy. She gained popularity for her imitations of famed Egyptian celebrities and officially took off after her work with the Egyptian National Theatre. The veteran actor has more than 200 songs, and over 60 films, TV drama hits, and plays in her repertoire including notable commercial successes such as Khally Balak Men Giranak (1979) and Essabet Hamada Wi Tutu (1982) among several others.

During the later stages of her career, the 75-year-old veered to a different course to take on more dramatic roles such as El Akhar (1999), Villa 69 (2013) and Casablanca (2019). After a spell of serious roles, the artist has made a comeback to comedy this year with a supporting role in El Gawahergy, alongside Egyptian comedian Mohamed Henedi.

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