She has been called the "poor people's filmmaker" due to the subject matter that inspired her to make films, including civil rights issues and the condition of impoverished Arabs.
[2] El Abnoudy has received more than 30 international awards for her 22 films, including three for Horse of Mud, released in 1971.
El-Abnoudy attended the University of Cairo to attain her law degree, working as an actress at a local theatre to fund her education.
[citation needed] El Abnoudy played various roles at the theater, such as stage manager and assistant.
[1] El Abnoudy started her acting career as a means to financially support herself in school while she studied journalism.