The fifth edition of the Gouna Film Festival will grant actor Ahmed al-Sakka the creative achievement award, in recognition of his cinematic career and outstanding contribution to the Egyptian film industry over more than two decades.

Sakka commented on the award: “It is a great honor for me to be granted the Creative Achievement Award at Gouna Film Festival this year. As I look back on my career, I remember all the greats in the film industry who have influenced, taught and inspired my career.”

“I am so grateful to them, along with my family and dear fans for all the love and support they have given me over the years. I owe this achievement to all these amazing individuals who stood by me at every step.”

Co-founder and COO of the festival Bushra Raza said: “I am very happy to award this year’s Creative Achievement Award to my dear colleague Ahmed al-Sakka. At the beginning of my career as an actress, I heard stories about his tremendous support for the film industry. He did not care about the size of his wages, despite being a boxing star, and even deducted a portion of his wages to produce his projects in the best possible quality.”

The Creative Achievement Award is an annual tradition of the Gouna Film Festival, presented to those who have made their mark with their unique works in the field of cinema.

The list of award recipients includes Egyptian stars Adel Imam, Mohamed Henedy and Khaled al-Sawy, in addition to international stars Forest Whitaker, Sylvester Stallone, Gerard Depardieu, Saeed Tajmawy and Egyptian director Daoud Abdel Sayed.

Samih Sawiris, head of the festival’s organizing committee, said: “Sakka’s career path is one of the most inspiring success stories on the artistic arena.”