Dr. Ashraf Zaki, head of Egypt’s Actors Syndicate, has reiterated his firm rejection of allowing social media influencers and content creators to participate in acting. He stressed that this trend poses a direct threat to the value and legacy of Egyptian art.

In media statements, Zaki described the involvement of individuals lacking artistic background or academic qualification as “an encroachment on the profession.” He warned that some production companies adopting this approach are harming the artistic industry and undermining the professional standards that Egyptian art has upheld for decades.

Financial Penalty

Zaki firmly stated that the participation of TikTokers and influencers in artistic projects is completely unacceptable in form and content. He announced the imposition of a financial penalty of up to one million Egyptian pounds on any production company that violates this decision.

He emphasized that the decision is final and irreversible, describing it as a defense of Egyptian artistic identity rather than a personal stance.

“Art is not just about shooting videos. Egypt’s legacy is not something to be taken lightly. This is the land of Abdel Halim, Umm Kulthum, Faten Hamama,” Zaki said. He added that true talent is welcome, but only within the framework and standards of the profession—not based solely on digital fame.

"Training and Preparation"

In a phone interview on a talk show, Zaki clarified that the syndicate does not oppose new faces, but insists that any aspiring actor must go through the proper stages of training and preparation to reach professionalism.

On the other hand, prominent film critic Tarek El Shennawy commented that Zaki’s decision has lost its weight over time. In a Facebook post, he argued that the syndicate head is unlikely to enforce it, since it conflicts with laws regulating artistic work, which give directors the right to choose actors freely. He also pointed to the existence of temporary permits issued by artistic unions to accommodate such cases.