The Gaza International Women’s Film Festival, led by its founder and president, Dr. Ezzedeen Shallah, in cooperation with the Palestinian Ministry of Culture, the ANHAR Arab Network for Human Rights Films, Karama Human Rights Film Festival in Jordan, headed by director Sawsan Darwaza, and a number of Arab and international institutions, has officially announced the opening of film submissions for the festival’s second edition. Submissions will be accepted from 17 June to 1 August 2026
Dr. Shallah invited filmmakers, directors, and producers from around the world to submit films addressing women’s issues to participate in the festival. He noted that the launch of the second edition builds on the success of the inaugural edition and reaffirms the festival’s mission to support women’s issues worldwide and strengthen women’s presence in the cinematic landscape. He also emphasized the festival’s commitment to preparing a new generation of Palestinian women filmmakers to tell their own stories, humanitarian, social, and cultural issues, and the stories of Gaza through cinema.
Shallah explained that participation is open to filmmakers from all countries whose works focus on women and women’s issues. The festival welcomes feature-length and short fiction films, feature-length and short documentaries, and animated films that present creative perspectives reflecting the role and status of women in society. Applicants are invited to complete the registration process and submit their films in accordance with the technical requirements and guidelines outlined in the official submission form.
The second edition of the Gaza International Women’s Film Festival will be held in central Gaza from 26–31 October 2026, coinciding with Palestinian Women’s National Day. The festival aims to provide an international cinematic platform celebrating women’s creativity, promoting cultural and humanitarian dialogue through film, and creating opportunities for filmmakers from around the world to connect, exchange experiences, and build professional collaborations.
For the festival regulations, submission guidelines, and the official entry form, please visit:
Festival website: https://gifwc.com
Submission form: https://forms.gle/9kgCphgCvoYSHhop9
