Egyptian-Tunisian actress Hend Sabri and Egyptian producer Mohamed Hefzy have been named this week Officer and Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government, respectively.
Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is awarded to artists who have contributed to flourishing the arts scene in France and around the world.
The pair were honored by French Ambassador Stephane Romatet in an event that took place in Cairo on Wednesday.
Sabri took to social media to express her gratitude. “Proud to receive the French Order of Arts and Letters from the level of Chevalier to Officer, which I had received in 2014. Thank you to the French government and to His Excellency Ambassador Stephane Romatet,” Sabri wrote, sharing the news to her 2.9 million followers.
Her posts on Instagram and Twitter added: “To my family, my fans and friends, I promise to continue to make you happy. Congratulations to my colleague and friend Mohamed Hefzy.”
Meanwhile, Hefzy also wrote: “Proud day for a new Chevalier. Congrats also to officer @hendsabri very well deserved.”
Sabri, who is a UN goodwill ambassador for the World Food Programme, started acting in 1994 in Tunisia. She then moved to Egypt, where she got married and currently lives, to expand her outreach.
With a career that spans over two decades, she has proven to be one the Arab world’s most iconic actresses with a number of successful films and shows under her belt.
Hefzy meanwhile is an award-winning producer credited with over 30 feature films in Egypt, the Arab world, the US and the UK.
He is one of the leading names in his field and his films have been played at international festivals like Cannes, Venice, Sundance, Toronto and more.