The fifth edition of Sharm El-Sheikh International Theatre Festival for Youth (SITFY) kicked off on Monday, November 16.

The fifth edition of SITFY carries the name of the late great actress Sanaa Jamil.

A notable group of theatrical stars and public figures were keen to participate in this important theater festival such as the governor of South Sinai; Khaled Fouad , the festival's honorary president, and veteran Egyptian actress Samira Ayoub, head of the Academy of Theatrical Arts and acclaimed Egyptian actor Ashraf Zaki on behalf of the culture minister Inas Abdel-Dayem and festival’s founder and president famed theatrical director Mazen El-Gharabawy. 

The festival opening ceremony witnessed the honoring of acclaimed theatrical stars such as Egyptian star Hanan Motawie, acclaimed comedian Bayoumi Fouad, Islam Imam, and Lebanese actor and director Qassem Istanbul.

Motawie expressed her pride with this honor and her happiness to stand on the same stage with the lady of the Arab theater the great actress Samiha Ayoub, Dr. Ashraf Zaki, and Mazen El-Gharabawy.

The famed Egyptian actress thanked both her late father the veteran director and actor Karam Motawie for the knowledge he taught her and her mother great actress Sohair el Morshedy for supporting and mentoring her.

After being honored Bayoumi Fouad apologized for not knowing anything about the festival before. 

Fouad admitted that now he realized the vitality of the Festival and promised to attend every year.

In his speech, SITFY head thanked Inas Abdel Dayem and Khaled Fouda for their strong support to the festival to come out in these difficult circumstances.

Gharabawy said: “ We are committed to this festival so 2020 wouldn’t have passed without holding the Sharm El-Sheikh International Theatre Festival for Youth.”