Filmmaker Ashraf Fayek has spoken about his dispute with Laith Askar, head of the Ninawa Film Festival in Iraq, clarifying the circumstances surrounding the controversy and addressing reports that financial issues were behind the crisis involving the Egyptian delegation.
In statements carried by Al-Masry Al-Youm, Fayek explained that money was not the main reason for the disagreement. He said that he had initially agreed to support the festival despite it being held for the first time, and that his participation was not primarily motivated by financial compensation.
🎬 Ashraf Fayek: I Agreed to $1,000
Fayek discussed the financial arrangement connected to his participation, revealing that he had agreed to receive $1,000, despite receiving significantly higher amounts at other festivals when serving as the head of a jury.
The filmmaker explained that at other festivals, his compensation for serving as a jury president can reach $5,000, making the amount agreed upon for the Ninawa Festival considerably lower.
According to Fayek, his acceptance of the lower amount was part of his decision to support Laith Askar and the festival during its inaugural edition rather than an attempt to secure a major financial return.
He emphasized that the financial aspect was therefore not the central issue behind the dispute that later developed between the two sides.
⭐ Supporting the Festival and Bringing Egyptian Artists
Fayek also said that his involvement went beyond his own participation. Through his relationships within the Egyptian artistic community, he helped bring a number of Egyptian actors to the festival.
Among the artists he mentioned were Edward, Hala Fakher, Sameh El-Sereity, Ahmed Azmy, and Ahmed Fathy, along with other Egyptian performers.
Fayek stated that he worked with the festival’s president during that period and contributed to supporting the event without asking him for additional financial compensation for those efforts.
He also explained that he helped arrange the participation of approximately seven to ten Egyptian artists, describing this as part of his efforts to support the festival during its first edition.
🔥 What Caused the Dispute?
According to Fayek’s account, the main point of disagreement was not related to money but rather to what he described as inappropriate treatment of Egyptian artists.
The filmmaker said that the crisis escalated after what he characterized as offensive behavior toward Egyptian performers, stressing that this was unacceptable to him.
Fayek maintained that his position was not connected to the amount of money agreed upon, particularly because he had already accepted compensation substantially lower than what he receives at other festivals.
He also pointed to his efforts to help bring Egyptian artists to the event as another indication that his participation was based on supporting the festival and strengthening its presence, rather than focusing on financial gain.
📢 The Withdrawal of the Egyptian Delegation
Fayek’s statements came amid discussions surrounding the withdrawal of the Egyptian delegation from the Ninawa Festival in Iraq, an incident that prompted questions about what had happened behind the scenes.
In his account, Fayek rejected the idea that financial disagreements were the primary reason for the crisis. Instead, he connected the dispute to the way Egyptian artists were treated during the festival.
The incident highlights the importance of clear communication between film festivals and participating artists, particularly when dealing with international or regional events that bring together artists from different countries.
🎭 Fayek Explains His Position
Ashraf Fayek emphasized that he had approached the festival from the beginning as a new cultural experience that deserved support, particularly because it was launching its first edition.
According to his statements, accepting a lower financial compensation and helping bring several Egyptian artists to the event demonstrated that money was not the driving force behind his participation.
However, he said that the situation changed because of what he viewed as unacceptable treatment of Egyptian artists, leading him to take a firm position regarding the dispute.
The details remain based on Fayek’s account of the incident, which has drawn attention within Egyptian and Arab artistic circles because of its connection to a new Iraqi film festival and the participation of several Egyptian artists.
