Hala Khalil

Hala Khalil (born July 23, 1967) is an Egyptian film director, producer, and screenwriter. Her work includes short films, documentaries, TV series, and feature films. Her films The Kite and The Best of Times (2004), have received awards from the Arab Film Festival, Rotterdam Arab Camera Festival, and the Rabat Film Festival.

Khalil belongs to the new generation of Egyptian female commercial and independent filmmakers that emerged in the first decade of the 21st century. The films of this period focus on the everyday lives of Egyptian women and their identity separation from men, functioning as an important part of feminism in Egypt.

Early life Khalil was born in Cairo, Egypt. After beginning her post-secondary education in engineering,

Career After graduating from the Cairo Film School, Khalil made her debut as a filmmaker and screenwriter with the short film, Puppets, in 1992. Her short film, The Kite (1997), was her first film to gain notable critical recognition. In 2004, she wrote and directed her first feature-length film, The Best of Times, for which she received awards at the Arab Camera Festival, in Rotterdam, Netherlands, the Rabat Film Festival, and recognition from the Egyptian Film Critics' Association.

Filmography

The Best of Times In 2004, Khalil directed her first feature-length film, cowritten with Wassam Soliman. Khalil won second prize for The Best of Times at the Arab Camera Festival in Rotterdam.