Egyptian actress Menna Shalaby shined at the 8th edition of El Gouna Film Festival 2025, where she received the Creative Achievement Award in recognition of her impactful and diverse artistic journey that has deeply resonated with audiences.
During a special talk with director Karim El-Shenawy, Menna expressed her gratitude and humility, saying: “I feel both fear and appreciation after receiving this award—it’s a huge responsibility. For me, the lifetime achievement will be the day I win an Oscar, but this step is a great one and gives me motivation to keep going.”
She spoke passionately about the hardships of acting, describing the craft as a constant emotional struggle: “A real actor suffers a lot; he might go days without sleep or food just to deliver one truthful moment on screen. That moment may last seconds but lives inside him for years.”
Menna emphasized that acting is a journey between doubt and belief, and that the actor’s true battle is to reach emotional honesty that can touch the audience’s heart.
Closing her talk, she added: “I’m an amateur with a professional fee. The spirit of passion keeps me creative, but professionalism gives the craft its respect. I’ll always approach acting with love and sincerity.”
Her words received heartfelt applause from attendees, who praised her authenticity and dedication to her art, reaffirming her place as one of Egypt’s most beloved actresses.
