The International Arab Film Festival in Gabes has selected Tunisian actress Hend Sabry as the Honorary President of the festival which will be held from 14 to 18 October under the theme of Cultural Decentralization. Launching its first edition, the Festival aims to introduce Tunisian and Arab cinema and to promote cinema culture among youths. It also seeks to operate as a bridgehead between audiences and filmmakers and to create varieties of locations or sources for viewing films.

Hend Sabry expressed her joy at the news, saying, "I belong to the South, especially the South of Tunisia, El Sabria, the governorate of Kebili. I believe in the South, the cradle of civilizations and revolutions, the cradle of the true Arab Spring. I believe in the necessity of our presence there and its presence in us. I also believe in cultural decentralization in various and connected transmission centers as stars shining in every city and village holding back the darkness. We have seen the ramifications of darkness. I'm honored to join as the Honorary President of the International Arab Film Festival in Gabès. I hope it becomes a new shining star in the Tunisian and Arab sky of culture and a new cultural destination for my people, the people of the South."

The Festival's screening program comprises three sections: Feature Films section, Short Films section, and a Tribute for Algerian Cinema, in addition to the festival opener When I Saw You by Anne Marie Jasser. On the margins of the festival screenings, several panel discussions and workshops on the film industry will take place in addition to tributes for Arab cinema pioneers.

It is noteworthy that this is not Hend Sabry's first participation in film festivals; the 23 award winning actress was previously appointed as co-director in the 2nd TROPFEST Arabia, the world's largest short film festival, and joined as Jury President of the Doha Tribeca Film Festival's Feature Narrative competition.