Egyptian Director Sameh Abdelaziz Dies at 48

Egyptian director Sameh Abdelaziz has died after being hospitalised due to a sudden health crisis caused by a viral blood infection. The illness led to a sharp rise in his blood sugar levels, resulting in a rapid deterioration of his condition. His death was confirmed by actor Ehab Fahmy, who wrote in a statement on social media that the funeral would be held on Sunday afternoon at the Police Mosque in Sheikh Zayed, with burial to follow in the family cemetery in Suez.

Abdelaziz graduated from Egypt’s Higher Institute of Cinema in 1996 and began his career directing television programmes before moving into film. He made his cinematic debut in 2005 with Dars Khososy (Private Lesson), and went on to direct several well-known titles including El Farah (The Wedding), Cabaret, Asad w Arba’ Qitat (A Lion and Four Cats), and Halawet Rouh (Sweetness of Spirit).

His most recent work included the film El Dashash (2024–2025), starring Mohamed Saad, Zina, Bassem Samra, and Khaled El Sawy. Abdel Aziz had also been working on the Ramadan 2025 television series Shahadet Mo’amalat Atfal (Child Treatment Certificate).