The brainchild of Mohamed Abdel-Khalik, the festival’s president, and Hassan Abou Eleila, its director, this unique event is a platform for films created by women or tackling women-related issues, with workshops, seminars, discussions, and screenings. This does not mean that AIWFF is a women-exclusive festival. By also inviting men to conversations and craft talks, the AIWFF builds a dynamic balance between the two genders through the topics tackled as well as the journeys of the movies’ creators.
This year’s edition carries the name of pioneering Egyptian filmmaker Aziza Amir (1901–1952), marking 125 years since her birth, and reaffirming her legacy as a foundational figure in Arab cinema and the first woman to produce and star in a feature film in the region.
For the 10th-anniversary edition, the official poster is designed by Egyptian artist Hisham Ali and presents a metaphorical interpretation of the Nile through a female figure who shapes the river's flow while carrying the festival's signature shield. By tracing a visual path from South to North, the artwork mirrors Aswan’s unique geographical and cultural position, effectively linking the city’s historical heritage with the festival’s decade-long commitment to women in cinema.
With its dynamic programming, the festival continues its mission of spotlighting women’s stories and expanding cinematic representation, bringing together filmmakers, actors, critics, and cultural practitioners from diverse backgrounds across its competitive and non-competitive programmes.
This year, the festival honours a wide range of Arab cinema icons, including tributes to major figures such as Leila Eloui, Salah Zulfikar, and Syrian actress and director Sulaf Fawakherji.
Launch of Aswan Youth Forum
Among the crucial new elements of this year’s edition is the launch of the Aswan Youth Forum (AYF), which is being introduced for the first time. The Youth Forum is a strategic platform designed to empower emerging filmmakers from underrepresented regions, particularly in Southern Egypt.
Built on the pillars of relevance, visibility, impact, and sustainability, the forum aims to bridge gaps in the regional film industry by fostering intergenerational knowledge exchange and providing practical tools for career development.
Over two intensive days, participants will engage in workshops, “how-to” labs on pitching and proposal writing, and networking sessions with established producers and international industry professionals. By offering production grants for short films and building a comprehensive industry database, the AYF serves as an incubator for the next generation of cinematic voices.
Education
A particularly interesting segment of the Aswan International Women’s Film Festival is education, mostly undertaken through workshops. Each year, and during the months leading up to the festival, the organisers provide highly professional workshops that aim to develop young talents interested in embarking on a filmmaking path, with many starting weeks before the festival.
Since their launch in 2020, under the direction of Sayed Aly, this segment has generated more than 50 films, involving more than 250 young and aspiring filmmakers in workshops on filmmaking and scriptwriting, with the majority being women.
It is this group of young creatives that will benefit in particular from the Youth Forum, where they will find a connection with industry representatives.
Nut Forum
Among the AIWFF's cornerstone components is the Nut Forum, a platform that serves as the central advocacy and discussion hub, bridging the gap between cinematic representation and the lived realities of women.
Named after the ancient Egyptian goddess of the sky, a symbol of protection and rebirth, the forum is led by researcher and activist Dr. Azza Kamel and focuses on the intersection of media, policy, and social change.
Over the course of several days, the forum hosts roundtables and seminars involving filmmakers, experts, and international organizations such as the European Union and UN Women to address critical issues such as gender-based violence, legislative reform, and the empowerment of women in the MENA region.
By connecting global industry stakeholders with the local community in Aswan, the forum transforms the festival into a vital space for sociopolitical dialogue and tangible grassroots impact.
Across the Competitions: Films and Jurors
The festival features more than 60 films from 33 countries, with a strong focus on works by women filmmakers or films addressing women-related themes.
The Feature Film Competition presents films from countries including Tajikistan, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Saudi Arabia, Bolivia, and Portugal, among others.
The competition is headed by renowned Polish filmmaker Dorota Kobiela (DK Welchman), Oscar-nominated co-director of Loving Vincent, known for her distinctive oil-paint animation technique.
She is joined by Egyptian actress Hanan Motawie, Barcelona-based producer April Vila, Moroccan journalist and festival founder Fatima Al-Nawali Azer, and Tunisian academic and filmmaker Lamia Belkaïd Kechaou, former director of ESAC and artistic director of the Carthage Film Festival.
The Short Film Competition brings together a diverse international selection of films that reflect emerging cinematic voices and experimental storytelling approaches. Featuring works from Egypt, the Arab region, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, the section serves as a key platform for new filmmakers exploring urgent social, personal, and aesthetic questions through the short format.
This year’s competition is evaluated by a jury of distinguished industry professionals: Egyptian actress and singer Bushra, Spanish programmer and artistic director Eduardo Guillot, and Lebanese arts manager Soleil Gharbieh, Director of Grants at the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC).
The EU Award for Best Euro-Mediterranean Film features a distinguished jury chaired by veteran actress Samah Anwar, joined by actor Bassem Samra, actress Arwa Gouda, Spanish filmmaker and programmer Maria Abenia, and Tunisian academic and critic Tarek Ben Chaabane, director of the Carthage Film Days.
One of the festival’s key competitions, Films of the South, highlights works by emerging filmmakers from across Egypt, particularly from southern regions.
This segment’s jury includes actress Leqaa El-Khamissi, Rotterdam-based filmmaker and curator Rosh Abdel Fattah, Artistic Director of the Arab Film Festival Rotterdam, and filmmaker Yomna Khattab.
Another section, Films of Impact, will be judged by a jury led by actress Farah Youssef, alongside acclaimed actor Hamza Al-Ayli and filmmaker Sarah Rizk.
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