Aliaa S. Zaky
Aliaa S. Zaky
Of Counsel
Aliaa is an Of Counsel with Matouk Bassiouny and a key member of the Media & Entertainment sector group. Aliaa brings over a decade of experience advising major studios, producers, and distributors across all stages of film, television, and music projects.
In addition to her earlier tenure with Matouk Bassiouny (2006–2010), Aliaa’s career highlights include leading the legal department of an international film festival, creating and managing industry platforms for major regional festivals, and introducing initiatives that bridge business, legal, and creative aspects of the entertainment sector.
Practice Focus
Aliaa’s practice focuses on entertainment law, film financing, co-productions, and project commissioning. She advises clients through every stage of the filmmaking process, from development to acquisition and delivery, and regularly negotiates and drafts agreements covering financing, production and co-production, commissioning, production services, music licensing, distribution, sales, sponsorship, product placement, talent, marketing, joint ventures, and related corporate transactions. Her work also extends to event planning and management for the entertainment industry.
Selected Recent Experience
- Represented and advised major film and TV production and distribution companies in the MENA region and internationally on all aspects of business and legal affairs, from development to distribution.
- Acted as business and legal affairs counsel on numerous award-winning and internationally recognized films and series.
- Supported groundbreaking regional streaming projects commissioned by major global platforms.
- Handled all local legal and business affairs requirements for large-scale international productions filmed in Egypt.
- Structured and closed innovative equity investment and co-production deals in the entertainment sector.
- Managed business and legal matters for partnerships with global streaming and distribution platforms.
- Negotiated distribution, co-production, financing, and talent agreements for prominent regional entertainment companies.
- Spearheaded creation and management of a leading industry platform at a major regional film festival.
- Introduced the first-ever business and legal affairs award at a regional international film festival, providing professional support to feature films in development.
- Served as Head of Legal at a leading international film festival, drafting and negotiating sponsorship, partnership, and financing agreements, and overseeing IP and corporate matters.
Education
Panthéon-Sorbonne University, L'Institut du Droit des Affaires Internationales,: LL.B.
2005
Professional Associations and Memberships