Announcing the Establishment of the Gaza International Women’s Film Festival and an Invitation to Join the Founding Committee
Dr. Ezz Aldeen Shallah has announced the establishment of the Gaza International Women’s Film Festival and issued a general call to Palestinian, Arab, and international figures to join the festival’s founding committee.
The festival’s inaugural edition is scheduled to take place in Gaza City from October 26-31, 2025, coinciding with the National Women’s Day. This date marks the anniversary of the first Palestinian Women’s Conference held in Jerusalem in 1929, during which nine women were martyred.
Shallah stated that the idea behind establishing the Gaza International Women’s Film Festival stems from the Palestinian woman’s rich history of struggle and the suffering she endures as a result of the ongoing genocide. Many Palestinian women have lost their children or husbands, and each has her own unique story. Through the festival, we aim to shed light on the issues faced by women internationally, particularly Palestinian women, by showcasing their stories and experiences. We also hope to present the Palestinian woman’s reality and aspirations through films that highlight her creativity and resilience in the face of adversity.
Shallah added that the objectives of establishing the Gaza International Women’s Film Festival are:
To support and encourage women’s cinematic creativity.
To provide a platform for showcasing films produced, directed, or written by women from Palestine, the Arab world, and internationally, as well as films directed by men that address women’s issues.
To discover new talents and provide them with the necessary support to embark on their cinematic journeys.
To highlight the issues faced by Palestinian women and to build bridges of cultural communication with the Arab and international worlds.
The Gaza International Women’s Film Festival aspires to be a window through which Palestine can view the world and the world can view Palestine. The festival will also work to solidify the concept of cinema as a powerful tool for social and cultural impact. It will organize panel discussions and workshops on the role of cinema in challenging stereotypes and promoting women’s rights in society. The festival aims to become an annual prominent event on the global cultural agenda.
