A cinematic portrait of the world’s most famous Egyptologist, Dr Zahi Hawass: The Man with the Hat
See trailer on YouTube here
Directed by Jeffrey Roth, The Man with the Hat is an immersive journey into the life of the man who transformed the world’s relationship with ancient Egypt. With his iconic hat and unmistakable presence, Dr Zahi Hawass became the real-life inspiration for Hollywood’s original ‘Indiana Jones’, captivating millions and becoming the face of Egyptology for generations. The film will receive its world premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival on 10th January 2026 and is released digitally worldwide on 26th January 2026.
Shot across Egypt’s most breath-taking, historically rich locations, the film brings viewers inside 4,000-year-old tombs, newly opened excavations, and rarely filmed archaeological sites throughout Egypt — many captured on camera for the very first time.
At its core, this is the riveting story of how a boy from a small Nile Delta village rose to become:
- One of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People
- Egypt’s former Minister of Antiquities
- A global cultural icon
- A fierce protector of his country’s heritage
WHY THIS STORY, AND WHY NOW: No single figure has done more to reshape the protection of antiquities in Egypt or the communication of ancient history to the world. Dr Hawass’s ground-breaking investigations — including:
the search for Cleopatra’s burial site, the analysis of King Tutankhamun’s death, and major new excavations throughout Egypt— have transformed both scholarship and popular culture
At a moment when geopolitical tensions threaten cultural preservation more than ever, his work feels urgently timely. The film captures a living legend in the twilight of his most ambitious undertakings.
Nearly every major studio and global network has relied on Dr Hawass as their gateway to ancient Egypt, underscoring his central role in shaping what the world sees and understands about the ancient past.
A FILMMAKER’S ODYSSEY: Director Jeffrey Roth brings unparalleled access, cinematic ambition, and lived experience to this story. His statement reflects the production’s extraordinary scale and stakes:
‘The Man with the Hat grew from my lifelong fascination with ancient Egypt — from watching programmes where Dr Hawass was always the star who transported you back in time. When I approached him about a feature-length documentary, I knew this had to be a human story set against the grandeur of Egypt itself.
This film could only be made in Egypt. We shot for weeks across the country’s most stunning archaeological landscapes to fully immerse audiences in its beauty, mystery, and history.
During production, conflict broke out in Israel — just 170 miles from our base of operations. Suddenly, the entire team was forced to navigate volatility, uncertainty, and shifting risks during our final days of filming. Some crew members left; others stayed as we assessed the realities unfolding around us in real-time.
Filming with Dr Hawass is its own phenomenon. In every city, crowds swelled instantly — locals and tourists rushing to touch him, photograph him, shake his hand. You see how deeply Egypt loves him and how recognised he is around the world.
My goal was to explore the man behind the legend: the complex, tireless, larger-than-life figure whose work, personality, and presence have shaped how the entire world understands ancient Egypt.’
WHY DR HAWASS MATTERS: For more than 40 years, Dr Hawass has made ancient Egypt accessible to global audiences through his excavations, worldwide tours, bestselling books, and appearances across films, documentaries, and major network specials.
He has guided or hosted world leaders, dignitaries, and cultural icons — including Princess Diana, President Obama, MrBeast, Beyoncé, and many more — and recently completed a 32-city North American tour, selling over 60,000 tickets priced from $99 to $995.
His reach spans academia, pop culture, and mass entertainment.
The Man with the Hat is a must-see sitting as it does at the intersection of grand-scale archaeology, geopolitical stakes celebrity culture, an intimate, unexpected character study and high-risk filmmaking during an active conflict. And offering: a world-renowned figure with an immediately recognizable look and global fandom; a story rooted in childhood ambition, personal resilience, and cultural pride; exclusive access to a man who has worked with presidents, icons, and world leaders, as well as high-stakes adventure wrapped in deeply emotional, human storytelling.
I wouldn’t call it a documentary. An authorized biopic puff piece would be more like it judging by the trailer. When the subject of the ‘documentary’ attends the opening and signs autographs and grants exclusive access in exchange for money it is hardly an unbiased view of his life and impact.
[edited for other content that cannot be verified.]
Wait. So you’re not supposed to make money in a career field simply because you’re good at the job and people like you? Sounds good to be paid well for doing a job I enjoy.
As for bias, I pick up on yours right off. We all have them.