The Aswan International Women’s Film Festival has unveiled a new initiative for its upcoming ninth edition, set to take place from May 2 to 7, 2025. The festival will introduce the “Southern Films Program,” a dedicated platform for showcasing short films from young filmmakers across Egypt, with a focus on the southern governorates.
Southern Films Program: Fostering Creativity from Egypt’s South
The program will feature a competition for short films—both fiction and documentary—capped at a five-minute runtime. It is open to young filmmakers from Egypt’s southern regions, regardless of subject matter. Notably, mobile films will be eligible for submission. The festival will consider films produced in 2023 and 2024.
Submissions will be open from December 10 through the end of February, with applications available via the festival’s official website or submission form.
Incorporating this new program into its broader strategy, the Aswan International Women’s Film Festival continues its commitment to nurturing emerging talent. The festival has long championed the development of young filmmakers, organizing Egypt’s largest training program for cinema students.
The 2025 edition of the festival will also celebrate the iconic Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum, marking the 50th anniversary of her passing. Further, Umm Kulthum’s legacy will be honored throughout the festival, cementing her status as a symbol of Egyptian and Arab creative excellence.
