Head of the National Center for Cinema Dr. Khalid Abdul Jalil said that the administration of the Ismailia Film Festival for Documentaries and Shorts did not hesitate when it decided to honor film critic Ali Abu Shadi. This came during a seminar to honor renowned film critic Ali Abu Shadi within the activities of the 20th edition of the Ismailia Film Festival for Documentaries and Shorts, led by film critic Issam Zakaria. He added that Abu Shadi's role in Ismailia Film Festival is crystal clear. Abdul Jalil said that the festival's administration talked with Abu Shadi about honoring him and he accepted the step. The festival's administration urged him to choose a certain film critic to write a book about him, Abdul Jalil said, noting that the book was approved by Abu Shadi. Film critic Issam Zakaria mentioned that the festival was suspended for five years before a comeback by Abu Shadi in which the festival's editions led by him were the real launch of the festival. Zakaria added: I started working in the festival when Abu Shadi was leading it. He noted that Abu Shadi assumed numerous official positions including head of Censorship Authority. He added that he was appointed in this post in a very delicate period in which he managed to surpass a number of crises and was working for the benefits of arts and creativity. Zakaria said Abu Shadi was a magnificent film critic and statesman who managed to balance between the two sides. Film critic Osama Abdul Fatah asserted that the honoring of Ali Abu Shadi aims at honoring him as a public figure, film critic and statesman and also honoring his entire generation that was born after the WWII and was crystallized in the 1960s. Abdul Fatah added: We can take Ali Abu Shadi as a model for the Nasserist model that is reflected in this book. Abu Shadi was a fan of late president Gamal Abdul Nasser and was shocked when the 1967 War occurred like all his generation. Abdul Fatah added: Ali Abu Shadi was like a father to our generation. He was also a friend to my father and I consider him as a second father to me, Abdul Fatah said. He was a decent man, Abdul Fatah noted. Abdul Fatah pointed out at the main phases in Abu Shadi life including his meeting with film critic Fathy Farag who introduced him to the world of cinema as well working in Finance Ministry. He also mentioned his meeting with film critic Samir Farid who introduced him to the world of film festivals in which his first participation in a film festival abroad was arranged by Farid.

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