Headed by Egyptian actress Elham Shahin, the first Aswan Women's Film Festival will take place in February and showcase local and international films with women filling primary roles, directed by women, or focusing on women's issues.

The festival will coincide with the Abo Simbel sun festival, during which the sun falls on the statue of Ramsis II. The timing of the festival was selected to make use of this biannual event that attracts scores of people to Aswan.

The festival’s organising comittee is headed by Elham Shahin and includes scriptwriter Mohamed Abdel Khalek, Journalist Hassan Abo El-Ela, director Mohamed Hassouna, journalist Amira Atef, and broadcaster Marwa Said.

The committee met with Aswan’s governor Magdy Hegazy to plan the festival, stressing the importance of encouraging tourism to the Upper Egyptian city.

Shahin has announced that the festival will honor Egyptian Actress Naglaa Fathy.

“For her illustrious cinema repertoire, which includes many important films with important directors such as Youssef Shahin, Barakat, Hassan El-Imam, Hussein Kamal, Ashraf Fahmy and Nader Galal. A number of her films provide an honest portrayal of the Egyptian woman and her issues.”

“She remains one of the most important stars because of her talent and captivating presence on the screen. She is an icon of romance in Egyptian cinema, and we are proud to honor her at the first edition of the festival,” Shahin added.

Amira Atef, journalist and member of the organising committee for the festival, announced that the festival will be screening a number of Fathy’s films including Dreams of Hend and Camilia, Garage and Supermarket, in addition to publishing a book on her life and contirubtion to cinema.

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