Hiam Abbass to Receive European Cinema Career Honor

Hiam Abbass will receive the European Achievement in World Cinema Award, an honorary prize recognizing her body of work across Palestinian, Arab, European and international film. The European Film Academy announced that Abbass will be an honorary guest at its 39th awards ceremony in Athens on January 16, 2027.

A career spanning more than 100 films

The Academy described the award as recognition of Abbass’s distinctive contribution to world cinema. Her screen career includes more than 100 films, moving between independent drama, acclaimed international productions and major studio projects.

Among her credits are Paradise Now, The Syrian Bride, Lemon Tree, The Visitor, Miral, Blade Runner 2049, Gaza Mon Amour and Palestine 36. Television audiences also know her as Marcia Roy in HBO’s Succession and from the Hulu series Ramy. Her work on Succession earned her a Primetime Emmy nomination in 2023.

Abbass has twice been nominated at the European Film Awards for performances in films directed by Eran Riklis. The Syrian Bride brought a People’s Choice Award nomination in 2005, while Lemon Tree earned a European Actress nomination in 2008. The latter performance also won her an Asia Pacific Screen Award.

The celebration extends beyond awards night

Abbass is also a director. Her film Inheritance screened at festivals in Gijón and São Paulo as well as Venice Days in 2012, adding another dimension to a career often celebrated for performance.

To accompany the honor, the European culture channel ARTE is preparing a selection of her work. The Syrian Bride is due to air on television and stream online, while Inheritance and Foreign Body will be made available through ARTE’s platform.

The award places Abbass at the center of the European Film Awards’ next ceremony while recognizing a career that has consistently crossed languages, borders and formats. The Athens event will be streamed live, giving international audiences a chance to see the Academy celebrate one of contemporary cinema’s most widely traveled performers.