The Gaza International Women’s Film Festival has officially announced the opening of film submissions and unveiled the official poster for its first edition. The festival is organized under the leadership of its founder and president, Dr. Ezzedeen Shallah, in partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Culture and in cooperation with Fikra Association for Arts and Education.
Film submissions will be accepted from July 15 to August 31, 2025. The festival will be held in Gaza City from October 26 to October 31, 2025, coinciding with the Palestinian National Women’s Day. This inaugural edition will be presented under the slogan “Honorable Women in a Time of Genocide.”
Film Submissions Open Worldwide
Dr. Ezzedeen Shallah stated that the festival welcomes films addressing women’s issues from around the world, regardless of the nationality of the filmmaker or country of production.
The festival accepts both fiction and documentary films, including feature-length and short productions. Participating films will compete for the festival’s prestigious Golden Orange Awards.
Separate juries will be formed for fiction films, documentary films, and screenplay competitions to ensure a professional evaluation process.
Supporting Women Through Cinema
According to Dr. Shallah, the first edition of the Gaza International Women’s Film Festival comes as an act of solidarity with women affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Many women have lost family members, including children and primary providers. The festival seeks to highlight their stories and experiences through cinema while encouraging dialogue about women’s issues worldwide through the participating films.
Special Screenplay Competition
The festival administration previously announced a special screenplay competition running from June 1 to August 31, 2025.
The competition requires submitted screenplays to address the Palestinian cause either directly or indirectly. It is divided into two categories:
- Feature-Length Screenplay Competition
- Short Screenplay Competition
The screenplay award will be named after a distinguished Palestinian novelist whose literary work has contributed to promoting the Palestinian cause. The festival administration will announce the name of the award in the near future.
Screenplay Competition Requirements
- The screenplay must address the Palestinian cause directly or indirectly.
- The screenplay must be written for a feature-length or short narrative film.
- Feature-length screenplays must include a synopsis, treatment, and author biography.
- Documentary projects must include a complete concept and documentary script for both short and feature-length formats.
- Applicants from all countries and nationalities are eligible to participate.
How to Submit
Participants can complete the film submission form through the festival’s official website.
Festival Website: https://gifwc.com/
Direct Film Submission Form: https://2u.pw/L0Rul
For screenplay submissions and inquiries:
Email: info@gifwc.com
About the Festival
The Gaza International Women’s Film Festival aims to support women’s creativity, promote cultural exchange, and provide a platform for films that address women’s experiences and challenges. Through cinema, the festival seeks to amplify women’s voices and encourage meaningful dialogue on social and humanitarian issues.
