Two films starring Egyptian actress Yasmin Raeis will screen at the 2nd Aswan International Women Film Festival (AIWFF), which is taking place from 20 to 26 February.

The festival opened with Looking for Umm Kalthum, starring Yasmin Raeis and directed by Iranian artist and director Shirin Nashat, and will close with Balash Tebusni (Kiss Me Not), also starring Raeis and directed by Ahmed Amer.

Looking for Umm Kalthum is centred on the iconic Egyptian singer Umm Kalthum. Without being a biopic, the film reveals a woman who was able to break down societal, religious, political and national barriers.

The film was shot in Morocco and Austria, and is a joint production between Germany, Austria, Italy and Morocco.

The AIWFF will close with Kiss Me Not in its Egyptian premiere.

Written and directed by Ahmed Amer, Kiss Me Not follows a young and ambitious Egyptian director who faces challenges while shooting a kissing scene in his new film because the lead actress, Fajr, decides to pursue a more religious personal path.

Kiss Me Not also stars Mohamed Mahran and Salwa Mohamed Ali, and guest stars actress Sawsan Badr, late director Mohamed Khan, and director Khairy Beshara.

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