Youssef Cherif Rizkallah
We cannot introduce Youssef Cherif Rizkallah only as a Film Critic, a
prominent media figure, the President or the Artistic Director of some
of Egypt's major film festivals, or even as an expert in international
film cooperations; Rizkallah has left an extensive effect on several
generations of young filmmakers and the mainstream audience through his
continuous efforts to create opportunities for them to savor all kinds
of cinemas from all over the world. This is equally matched with his
endeavors to provide young filmmakers with platforms through which they
can express themselves while offering them to learn and fully
experience the global language of film. He is moved by his undying
passion for the art of cinema, which is a long lasting one that has
never weakened throughout his extensive expertise in the field. Youssef
Cherif Rizkallah earned a BA in Political Sciences from the Faculty of
Economics and Political Sciences, Cairo University in 1966. Before that
and through studying at the Jesuites School in Cairo, he participated
in the school's theatrical activities, expressing a budding passion for
such type of art. After finishing college, Rizkallah set out on a long
career in film criticism of Arabic and foreign films, attending
international film festivals and presenting cinema-related programs and
TV shows. Rizkallah penned down numerous articles which were published
in various regional and international newspapers and magazines. He
created Cine Club and Oscar TV programs for the official Egyptian
television channel in 1975 and 1980 respectively. Later on, it was only
natural for his career to metamorphose into a TV presenter for TV
programs which throw the light on the global film scene such as
Telecinema (1981 - 1995), Star (1986 - 1994), Cinema × Cinema (1994 -
2004), The Magic Lantern (2008 - 2010) and Rizkallah Cinema (2008 -
2010). Furthermore, he had provided daily coverages for international
film festivals, such as the Cairo International Film Festival and
Cannes Film Festival assisted by his fluency in both English and
French. Rizkallah started engaging with the world of cinema in 1978,
when he joined Cairo Film Society, becoming its President together with
its annual festival from mid 80s to mid 90s (1985-1994). He also
assumed the post of the Artistic Secretary of the Cairo International
Film Festival since 1978, then becoming the Artistic Director of the
Festival until 2011. He worked as an Editor and Editor-in-Chief of the
news bulletin in Arabic at the Egyptian Radio and Television Union,
which has led to a new position as the Head of Nile TV International
channel at the Television Union from 1997 to 2002. Rizkallah was Head
of the International Cooperation Department at the Egyptian Media
Production City (EMPC) from 2007 until March 2012, after which he was
appointed as Head of Cinema Organization until March 2012. He is
currently holding the position of International Business Development
and International Movies Consultant at Al Arabeya for Production and
Distribution.