Conclusion of the First Edition of the Gaza International Women’s Film Festival from Central Gaza Strip
The Gaza International Women’s Film Festival concluded its first edition today in the city of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, in partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Culture. The closing ceremony began with the Palestinian national anthem, followed by a speech by the festival founder and president, Dr. Ezzedeen Shallah, a speech by Dr. Ahed Farwana, Secretary of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, and a speech by the President of the General Union of Cultural Centers in Palestine. This was followed by the announcement of the festival awards and the screening of the closing film “Escape from Farida” directed by Yahya al-Shouli.
Shallah stated, after welcoming the attendees, that the festival was an idea to express Palestinian women’s issues and that it has now been realized on the ground. He affirmed that the Gaza International Women’s Film Festival will work diligently to continue empowering women in cinema through training to produce films that reflect the realities of Palestinian women’s issues. He noted the impact of the festival team’s work through Arab and international media coverage, as well as the communications received by the festival administration, which places a major challenge before the next edition.
Shallah expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Ministry of Culture, represented by His Excellency Minister Imad Hamdan, the festival team, the founding committee, and all those who contributed to the success of the festival, announcing that Friday, 31/10/2025 marks the conclusion of the first edition of the Gaza International Women’s Film Festival. He confirmed that the festival administration will begin preparations for the second edition starting tomorrow.
Dr. Ahed Farwana, Secretary of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, expressed the syndicate’s happiness in hosting the activities and closing ceremony of the Gaza International Women’s Film Festival at the Media Solidarity Center affiliated with the syndicate. He added that this festival carries a message of life: that Gaza, which is facing a war of extermination, is capable of overcoming it through these national events that affirm to the world our ability to challenge circumstances and look forward to a better future.
For his part, Mr. Yousri Darwish, President of the General Union of Cultural Centers in Palestine, said: “We stand today at the closing ceremony of the Gaza International Women’s Film Festival, and after the cessation of genocide and cultural destruction that the Gaza Strip has been subjected to, to say that despite all the destruction, the Palestinian people—and at its heart women—rise like a phoenix from the ashes, because we are a people who love life whenever we can find a way to it. The festival and its administration express the unbreakable will of the Palestinian people and express it through camera, screenplay, and direction to portray the Palestinian narrative and strengthen national cultural identity. Many thanks to them from the heart.”
Awards of the First Edition of the Festival:
First: Screenplay Awards:
The screenplay “Blowra” by screenwriter Wael Raddad (Jordan) won the Samira Azzam Award for Best Feature Screenplay. Screenwriter Ahmed Ashour received an honorable mention for the screenplay “Changing Course” (Egypt). Screenwriter Malak Al-Ahmad won the Samira Azzam Award for Best Short Screenplay for “Under the Olive Tree” (Iraq). Screenwriter Mohammed Sawali received a development grant from the screenplay committee worth $400 for the screenplay “Rogheef al-Ghiab” (Palestine).
Second: Feature Film Awards:
The Golden Orange Award for Best Feature Film went to “Samia” by director Yasmine Samdereli. The film “Thank You for Dreaming with Us” by director Leila Abbas won two awards: the Silver Orange Award for Best Feature Film and the Best Actress Award for Clara Khoury (Palestine). The Best Screenplay Award for Feature Film went to “Salma” by director Joud Said (Syria), while the Bronze Orange Award went to “When Spring Comes Laughing” by director Noha Adel (Egypt).
Third: Feature Documentary Awards:
The film “From Abdul to Layla” won the Golden Orange Award for Best Feature Documentary, directed by Leila Biaty (France–Iraq). The Silver Award went to “Line of Contact” (Lebanon–France) by French director Sylvie Ballieu. The Bronze Award was shared between “Nadine” by director Abdullah Yahya (Tunisia) and “Bye Bye Tiberias” by director Lina Soualem (Palestine).
Fourth: Short Fiction Film Awards:
The film “My Mother and Time” by director Basla Abu Hamad won the Golden Orange Award for Best Short Fiction Film (Palestine). The film “Hind Under Siege” by director Naji Salama (Jordan) won the Jury Award.
Fifth: Short Documentary Film Awards:
The film “Flowers of My Country” by director Candelaria Palma won the Golden Orange Award for Best Short Documentary (Cuba), and the film “We Are Standing” won the Jury Award (Palestine).
