Mohamed Hesham Obayya

An Egyptian journalist and screenwriter (born in 1980), he worked in Egyptian and Arab journalism for many years, serving as Assistant Editor-in-Chief of Al Tahrir daily newspaper, Editor-in-Chief of Al Youm Al Gedid weekly newspaper, and Cairo correspondent for the Lebanese newspaper As-Safir. He later transitioned into screenwriting.

His television work is characterized by its engagement with socially and politically complex issues that require extensive research and investigation. Among the subjects he has explored are sexual exploitation in 60 Minutes, extremism and terrorism in Batelou' Al Rouh (Rising Spirit), the historical interplay between religion and politics in Risalat Al Imam (The Imam's Message), surrogacy and abortion in Silat Rahim (Bloodline), and online betting in Montaha Al Salahiya (Expired).

He has received several awards in both journalism and screenwriting, including the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate Award for Cultural Journalism and the Critics' Award for Best Screenplay for Batelou' Al Rouh. The series Every Week Has a Friday, which he co-wrote, was also nominated for an International Emmy Award in the Best Actress category. His debut feature film, Banat Al Basha (The Pasha's Daughters), will be screened at the 2025 Cairo International Film Festival as an Official Selection out of Competition.