Egypt's Ahmed Hafez & Mohatmed Attia Join Oscar Academy

Egyptian film editor Ahmed Hafez and production designer Mohamed Attia have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organisation behind the Oscars and one of the film industry's most influential professional bodies.

Their selection marks a historic first for Egyptian cinema. Hafez becomes the first Egyptian film editor invited to Academy membership, while Attia is the first Egyptian production designer to receive the distinction. They join Jordanian composer Suad Bushnaq, who becomes the first Arab woman working in film composition to enter the Academy's ranks.

The invitation places all three among the Academy's global voting body, whose members help determine Oscar nominees and winners. This year's class includes 529 filmmakers and industry professionals from around the world, among them actors Jenna Ortega, Jacob Elordi, Josh O'Connor, Simu Liu and Teyana Taylor, as well as filmmakers Josh and Benny Safdie. The invitations form part of the Academy's efforts to expand its international voting body and diversify representation across the global film industry.

With a career spanning more than 25 years, Hafez has edited a wide range of Egyptian and international productions, including Marvel's 'Moon Knight' (2022) by Mohamed Diab, as well as acclaimed films such as 'Clash' (2016), 'The Blue Elephant' (2014), 'The Guest' (2019), and 'Al Sitt' (2025).

Attia has built a celebrated career in production design across film and television, with credits including After the Battle (2012), 'Ehky Ya Shahrazad' (2009), 'The Blue Elephant (2014), Welad Rizk (2015), 'Aswar El Qamar' (2015) and 'Torab El Mas' (2018).

Bushnaq, meanwhile, has composed music for more than 50 film and television productions, most recently Hany Khalifa's 'Rehla 404' (2024).