Mahdi Abdel Abbas

Mahdi Abbas is an Iraqi film critic and historian renowned for his extensive documentation of Iraqi cinema. His passion for film ignited in his youth after viewing the Egyptian movie "Rasif Nemra 5," leading him to immerse himself in the cinematic arts. Over the years, Abbas has authored several pivotal works, including "Daleel Al-Film Al-Riwa'i Al-Iraqi" (1997) and "Mawsou'at Al-Mukhrijin Al-Arab Fi Al-Qarn Al-Ishreen" (2000), which serve as comprehensive references on Iraqi and Arab filmmakers.

In 2015, Abbas released "Al-Sinema Al-Iraqiya 2015," a detailed chronicle of Iraq's cinematic activities for that year, encompassing film releases, festivals, and industry developments. His dedication to preserving Iraq's film heritage was recognized in October 2024 when the Alexandria Mediterranean Countries Film Festival honored him with a special tribute. During the event, Abbas expressed his gratitude, highlighting the significance of the recognition in his career.

Beyond his publications, Abbas has played a pivotal role in promoting Iraqi cinema on international platforms. As a member of the preparatory committee for the Baghdad International Film Festival, he emphasized the importance of Arab participation, noting Egypt's substantial presence in the festival's inaugural edition. His unwavering commitment continues to shed light on Iraq's rich cinematic history and its evolving landscape.