The Egyptian Chamber of Cinema Industry has appointed Dr. Mervat Abou Ouf as Adviser to its Board of Directors for the 2025–2029 term, a move widely seen as a strategic step to strengthen governance, legislation, and international engagement within Egypt’s film industry.
Dr. Abou Ouf is a leading figure in cinema studies, media regulation, and cultural policy, with a career that bridges academia, professional training, and international cultural diplomacy. She currently serves as Dean of the Faculty of Visual Arts and Creativity, overseeing the Departments of Film Studies and Media Technologies at the European Usleska University.
Distinguished academic and professional career
Dr. Abou Ouf previously served as Professor of Practice and Head of the Journalism and Mass Communication Department (2011–2014) at the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the American University in Cairo (AUC). Her academic work has consistently focused on the intersection of media, law, and public policy.
She holds a PhD with distinction from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Spain, specializing in the legislative and regulatory frameworks governing Egypt’s cinema industry—an area of expertise that directly aligns with her new advisory role at the Chamber of Cinema Industry.
Since 2019, Dr. Abou Ouf has also assumed the position of an academic and professional trainer at Egypt’s National Training Academy (NTA), where she contributes to the Presidential Leadership Program (PLP) and the African Presidential Leadership Program (APLP). Her training portfolio includes media law, ethics, global media systems, and crisis management, supporting the development of future national and regional leaders.
Deep engagement with cinema, media, and cultural policy
Dr. Abou Ouf is a member of the Foreign Press Association (FPA) and is actively involved in international film festivals, where she delivers workshops on media law and cinema legislation. Her jury experience includes MedFest and the National Film Festival (NFF), alongside active participation in the El Gouna Film Festival and the Cairo International Film Festival.
Her public service and advocacy extend beyond cinema. She is a member of Egypt’s National Council for Women and the Women and Memory Forum (WMF), a leading Egyptian non-profit organization dedicated to feminist research and women’s empowerment.
In addition, she serves as a board member and media adviser for the “Awladna” Foundation and the International Forum for Talented Arts, reinforcing her role in supporting cultural inclusion and artistic development.
International recognition and cultural leadership
Most recently, Dr. Abou Ouf was appointed Peace Ambassador for Arts and Culture by the Egyptian Center for Global Peace and Human Rights, an entity accredited by the United Nations, in recognition of her sustained contributions to cultural and artistic affairs.
She was also a guest of honor and keynote speaker at the World Youth Forum Theater in 2019 and is a recipient of the American University in Cairo President’s Award for Inspiring Change.
With her advisory role spanning 2025 to 2029, industry observers anticipate a renewed focus on sustainable policy frameworks, talent development, and global best practices within Egypt’s cinematic landscape.
