Quick Facts
Biography
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 (1997) 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 every day 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, she switched to the Cairo Film School, where she graduated in 1992 with a degree in filmmaking.
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.
Khalil also writes film reviews, and directs for the state television company. In addition to being a prominent Arab female short and feature filmmaker, Khalil is an executive producer has worked documentary films, and served on festival juries in Cairo, Ossian, Rotterdam, and Beirut.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Puppets (Marionettes) | Director/Writer | Short Film |
| 1994 | Silence of the Night (Hudu 'al-layl) | Director | Short Film |
| 1997 | The Kite (Tiri ya tayyara) | Director | Short Film |
| 1998 | Game's Revolution (Gamal al-thawra) | Director | Short Film |
| 2000 | Welcome with Ten Fingers (Ahbabak 'ashra) | Director | Short Film |
| 2004 | The Best of Times (Ahla al-awqat) | Director/Writer | Feature Film Second Prize at Rotterdam Arab Film Festival |
| 2006 | Cut and Paste | Director | Feature Film |
| 2015 | Nawara | Director/Writer/Producer | Feature Film |
The Best of Times
In 2004, Khalil directed her first feature-length film, cowritten with Wassam Soliman. The Best of Times serves as an example of the themes of the new generation of female screenwriters and filmmakers in Egypt. The film follows Salma, a successful woman who is forced to move from her step-father's home following the death of her mother. The film takes place between the distinct neighbourhoods of Maadi and Shobra, as Salma embarks on an introspective journey to unearth who has been sending her anonymous letters. Khalil won second prize for The Best of Times at the Arab Camera Festival in Rotterdam.