Ahmed Malek

Back in 2018, Malek landed a pretty sweet spot as one of only four rising international actors to get spotlighted at the Toronto International Film Festival’s Rising Stars showcase. Not exactly the kind of thing that happens every day, you know? The festival’s got a reputation for picking out folks who are about to hit big, so it’s a bit like getting a golden ticket in the film world. Malek’s inclusion wasn’t just about being in the right place at the right time—it was about real talent getting recognized. That year’s showcase put him on the radar for casting directors, critics, and basically anyone who pays attention to fresh faces in cinema. The Rising Stars program doesn’t just hand out participation trophies, either. It’s a whole thing—workshops, industry meet-and-greets, press, the works. For Malek, this meant access to people and opportunities that can change a career overnight. Honestly, it’s a pretty solid badge of honor.

“We’re the future, like it or not. The old guard can grumble all they want, but we’re not just sitting around waiting for permission. We’re growing, getting louder, and, honestly, sooner or later, we’ll be the ones calling the shots everywhere you look,” Malek says, not mincing words. That’s the whole point—if young people start waking up, actually paying attention, and learning how stuff works, Egypt’s got a fighting chance. It’s all about shaking off the apathy, you know? When the youth stop just scrolling and start getting their hands dirty—learning, asking questions, making things happen—that’s when stuff will really change. The future’s not going to wait politely for anyone. Either we step up, or we get left behind. So, the more young people wake up to their power, the brighter things might get. Egypt’s future? Totally riding on how much the next generation decides to care.