EU Backs Women in Cinema at Aswan Festival

The European Union reaffirmed its support for women in cinema and cultural cooperation with Egypt at the opening of the 10th Aswan International Women Film Festival this week.

In her address, the EU Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst to Egypt said the bloc was proud to be a strategic partner of the festival, which has grown into a platform spotlighting women filmmakers and engaging young audiences in the southern city.

“We are proud to support this festival, which has become a unique platform for women filmmakers and young talents in Egypt,” the ambassador said.

She said EU-backed programmes in Egypt had supported more than 600 young people in filmmaking over the past seven years, alongside initiatives in cultural heritage, music and people-to-people exchanges.

The ambassador highlighted Egypt’s long-established film industry, describing it as a cultural asset with influence across the Arab world and the Mediterranean.

She further noted that culture and women’s participation remain central to the EU’s partnership with Egypt, while public events linked to the festival aim to broaden community engagement and raise awareness of social issues.

This year’s edition honours Aziza Amir, a leading figure in early Egyptian cinema whose 1927 film “Laila” is widely seen as a landmark.

The event is supported by Egyptian government bodies and international partners, including UN Women.