May el-Thouky (Arabic: مي الطوخي) is a Danish-Egyptian filmmaker. Most known for her drama film Queen of Hearts (2019). For Woman Unknown (2026), she won the Golden Lion at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.
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Early life and education
El-Thouky was born in 1977 to a Danish mother and Egyptian father, and has said that her father's experience as a first generation immigrant has influenced her film making. She graduated from the Danish National School of Performing Arts in 2002, and later as a film director from the National Film School of Denmark in 2009.
Career
She creates films featuring complicated protagonists, like the 2019 film Queen of Hearts and 2026 Woman Unknown. Woman Unknown was the only film by a female director initially included in the 2026 Venice Film Festival main competition.
She was a signing member of the Dogma 25 movement.
Personal life
El-Thouky is in a relationship with Danish producer Mikael Rieks. She also has a daughter from a previous relationship.
