Actress Mais Hamdan made one of the most talked-about appearances at the 8th El Gouna Film Festival, stepping onto the red carpet with a strikingly short boy cut hairstyle that instantly drew attention. The bold transformation, she explained, came from a deep desire for liberation and renewal after what she described as a challenging emotional and physical period.

Speaking during the festival, where she attended the screening of “Happy Birthday”, Hamdan shared that she had been contemplating cutting her hair for a long time but only recently found the right moment. After a health setback, she decided it was time for change, saying, “I needed to feel free again — not just on the outside but from within. Change helps me regain balance after tough times.”

Hamdan added that she enjoys reinventing herself every now and then, believing that artists should evolve both in appearance and in craft. For her, transformation is part of artistic growth, not just a matter of style. She also emphasized that her participation in El Gouna goes beyond red-carpet glamour; she values the festival’s cultural atmosphere and the exchange of ideas it fosters among filmmakers.

Her presence this year coincides with the screening of “Happy Birthday”, the festival’s opening film, which previously earned three major awards at its world premiere during the Tribeca Film Festival.

The film features a powerful ensemble including Nelly Karim, Hanan Motawie, Doha Ramadan, Hanan Youssef, and Khadija Ahmed. It is a joint production between Mohamed Diab, Ahmed El Dessouki, Ahmed Abbas, Ahmed Badawy, and Datari Turner, with Hollywood star Jamie Foxx joining as co-producer — a rare collaboration that bridges Egyptian storytelling and international cinema.

The story follows Touha, a young girl working as a maid in a wealthy household. Despite never having celebrated her own birthday, she decides to organize a small surprise party for the family’s daughter, played by Nelly Karim. What begins as a simple act of kindness unfolds into a touching reflection on innocence, longing, and the human need for joy — even in the quietest corners of life.