Naguib Mahfouz on Screen

Renowned Egyptian novelist Naguib Mahfouz was widely regarded as one of the most influential literary figures in the Arab World. While his primary contribution was as a novelist, he was also extensively involved in creating cinematic works as scriptwiter. Several of his novels were adapted into films and television series, bringing his stories to a wider audience through visual media. Some notable adaptations include “The Cairo Trilogy” (Palace Walk, Palace of Desire, Sugar Street), The Thief and the Dogs, Night and Day Talks, among so many others. Besides his literary achievements, Naguib Mahfouz contributed directly to cinema by writing original scripts. His involvement in screenwriting is a significant part of his creative legacy, although it is less widely known than his novels. Mahfouz wrote scripts for several Egyptian films, bringing his narrative talent and social insights directly to the cinematic medium. His scripts often reflected themes from his literary work—such as social change, human struggles, and cultural identity—but adapted for the visual and dramatic form of film. His work in the film helped bridge literature and visual storytelling, enriching Egyptian cultural production and influencing Arab cinema.

About the Speaker

Dr. May Telmissany is an Egyptian–Canadian novelist, translator, film critic, and Associate Professor of Arabic Studies and Cinema at the University of Ottawa. She is the author of acclaimed novels such as Dunyazad and Heliopolis—with her debut winning France’s Ulysses Prize and Egypt’s State Prize. In 2021, Telmissany was knighted in France’s Order of Arts and Letters for her significant contributions to culture, arts, and literature. She also serves as founder of Beit Telmissany, a writers’ residency in Egypt that supports literary and cinematic creativity.

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