Amr Salama: A Legacy of Discovering Egypt's Brightest Stars

Acclaimed Egyptian filmmaker, writer, director Amr Salama is famous for his thought-provoking films - but what has perhaps gone underappreciated is his knack for unearthing raw untapped talent, with his films often featuring an unexpected acting debut that goes on to flourish in the industry. His newest venture, ‘Casting’, aims the spotlight behind the scenes and shows us how he discovers Egypt’s next generation of stars.

“The idea for the show originated with Mr. Ahmed Faik, head of content at United Media Services,” Amr Salama tells CairoScene. “Our goal was to discover fresh faces, actors who are talented, committed and versatile, to star in a brand-new TV show.”

This series, featuring a new story and characters in every episode, will showcase the actors of ‘Casting’. “These actors need to demonstrate diversity, flexibility, charisma, and the potential to become future stars,” Salama says. “The ones who impress me are those with real passion, commitment, and natural talent - people who are willing to work on themselves and have something special we can connect with.” Expressive features, especially the eyes, are key indicators for Salama, who believes emotions should be felt through an actor’s gaze.

He also emphasises the need for reform in Egypt’s casting process. “The problem lies in opting for easy options - casting someone to repeat a role they’ve already done.” For Salama, casting should involve multiple stages, effort, and skilled casting directors. Through his new production, Salama aims to challenge these norms and create a new standard for discovering talent in Egypt.

From child prodigies to breakout actors, it’s worth taking a moment to revisit the remarkable actors’ Salama introduced to our screens…