Hussein Fahmy obtained his BA in Directing from the Higher Institute of Cinema in 1963, then traveled to the United States of America to complete his studies. He received a degree in Film Directing from the University of California, Pasadena.

During his studies at the Higher Institute of Cinema, he was apprenticed to director Youssef Chahine, and he worked with him as an assistant director in the movie "The Choice". He also worked as a directing professor at the institute for 12 years.
He headed the Cairo International Film Festival for 4 successful sessions from 1998 to 2001. He returned to his presidency again in 2022, succeeding screenwriter and producer Mohamed Hefzy. He also chaired the jury committees of a number of other festivals, such as the Oran International Arab Film Festival, the Muscat Film Festival, and the Arab World Festival in Paris.

In 2006, Hussein Fahmy entered the experience of presenting a television program entitled "The People and Me". The experience was repeated in 2010 when he gave a program entitled "Me and Life". And in 2016 with the "Zaman" program.

4 films, in which Hussein Fahmy participated, were selected in the list of the 100 best films in the history of Egyptian cinema, according to the critics' poll. Those films are: “Keep in mind from Zuzu” in 1972, “The Sinners” in 1976, “Shame” in 1982, and “Playing with Adults” in 1991.

Hussein Fahmy is a humanitarian activist and is the UN Goodwill Ambassador for the Middle East. He is also the ambassador for the Paralympics in the Middle East and North Africa.