Mahmoud Shalaby

Mahmoud Shalaby, a talented Palestinian actor, was born on July 19, 1982, in Acre, Israel. He has made significant contributions to film, particularly in projects co-produced in France. His standout performance as Naïm in the 2011 film *A Bottle in the Gaza Sea*, directed by Thierry Binisti and based on Valérie Zenatti's novel, earned him the Best Male Actor award at the Film Festival of La Réunion, where he also received two additional accolades.

Shalaby's early life in a troubled neighborhood of Acre was marked by the challenges of urban violence, which led him to form a rap and hip-hop group called MWR with friends. His breakthrough in acting came when director Keren Yedaya offered him his first film role, paving the way for his subsequent appearances in notable films. He was featured in the 2009 movie *Jaffa* and portrayed the Jewish-Algerian singer Salim Halali in *Free Men* (2011).

In 2010, Shalaby starred alongside Mohammed Bakri in the short film *The Clock and the Man*, adapted from a story by Palestinian author Samira Azzam. He also played a pivotal role in *The Other Son* (2012), where he depicted Bilal, a character involved in a poignant narrative of identity and belonging.

Shalaby’s artistic talents extend beyond acting; he is also skilled in playing the kawala, a traditional Egyptian flute, which is featured in *The Other Son*. In recognition of his promising career, he was nominated for Most Promising Actor at the 38th César Awards in 2013 for his work in *A Bottle in the Gaza Sea*.