Bassem Hafez, Chair of CJFF

Our Chair, Bassem Hafez, is a dynamic academic, artist, and entrepreneur. Affectionately dubbed “BigB” by those he mentors. Bassem taught within MRU's General Education Department from 2016 to 2020, alongside his impactful work as a immigration consultant. Today, he teaches as a professor of immigration and refugee law at CDI.

But Bassem's talents extend far beyond academia; he's the driving force behind the Calgary Egyptian Association, the orchestrator of numerous metal music bands, and a dynamic force as a playwright, theatr assistant director, and actor. Bassem was recently honored with the Rozsa Foundation Arts Management Diploma. His play "Interrogation" made history as the first in Canada to be performed in the Egyptian dialect by the Arab Canadian Theatre. Presently, he’s crafting his second play, a musical recounting the 1997 witch hunt of heavy metal fans in Egypt.

A prominent figure in the local arts scene, Bassem proudly served on boards like ANTYX Community Arts and Calgary Outlink. He currently serves on the ICAI’s Board of Directors, the board of the Calgary Arab Arts & Culture Society, and the Arab Canadian Theatre.

As President of CJFF, Bassem brings a unique skill set and passion for community building. He is undoubtedly a remarkable leader who embodies the spirit of innovation, creativity, and inclusivity.