Sherif 'Arafa is a renowned Egyptian director, screenwriter, and producer, hailing from a family of filmmakers. His father, Sa'ad 'Arafa, was a prominent director, and his brother, 'Amr 'Arafa, is also a successful director in his own right. Sherif's career in the Egyptian film industry spans over three decades, with his first film, "al-Aqzam Qadimoon" ("The Dwarfs are Coming"),being released in 1987. The screenplay for this film was penned by Maher 'Awwad.
Following the release of "al-Aqzam Qadimoon", Sherif went on to direct "al-Daragah al-Thanniyah" ("The Second Degree"),a film that unfortunately did not resonate with audiences. However, this setback did not deter Sherif from continuing to pursue his passion for filmmaking. Instead, he continued to work tirelessly, producing a string of successful films and television productions.
Throughout his career, Sherif has been credited with discovering and nurturing the talents of numerous young performers, including Mohamed Sa'ad, Ahmed Helmy, Mohamed Heneidy, Kareem 'Abd Al 'Azeez, Ahmed Makky, Mahmoud 'Abd Al Ghany, Haitham Ahmed Zakky, 'Alaa Waly al-Deen, Mona Zakky, Nour, Sullaf Fawakhragy, and Gamal Suleiman. His ability to identify and develop the skills of fledgling performers has earned him a reputation as a shrewd and astute director.
Sherif has also had the privilege of working with some of the biggest names in Egyptian cinema, including Soa'ad Hosny, Ahmed Zakky, and 'Adel Imam. In addition to his work in film, Sherif has also ventured into television production, producing several successful series and programs through his private production company, Partner Pro.
Some of Sherif's most notable works include the film "Halim" and the television series "Tamer wa Shawqqiyah", "Lahazat Harija" ("Critical Moments"),and the program "al-Nas wa Ana" ("The People and Myself"). He has also directed several television commercials for well-known brands such as Pepsi and Chipsy.
In 2006, Sherif made a significant foray into television production, producing three works: the television series "Tamer wa Shawqqiyah" and "Lahazat Hariga" ("Critical Moments"),and the program "al-Nas wa Ana" ("The People and Myself"). This collaboration saw him work alongside producers from both Egypt and the United States.
Throughout his illustrious career, Sherif 'Arafa has directed several milestone films in the history of Egyptian cinema, including "Teyoor al-Zalam" ("The Birds of Darkness"),"al-Nazir" ("The Manager"),"Mafia", and "Halim". His dedication to his craft, his ability to identify and nurture talent, and his tireless work ethic have all contributed to his status as one of the most respected and successful directors in the Egyptian film industry.
