Makawi Saeed – Egypt

From his early rise to fame at Cairo University where he earned the title of “University’s Poet” to his time spent narrating short stories in the cafes in the heart of the city and gaining wider recognition after his stories started to get published in Arab magazines, Egyptian author, narrator and screenwriter Makkawi Said’s unique style won several awards and was nominated for the Booker Prize for his 2007/2008 novel The Swan’s Last Song.