EU Supports 5th AIWFF As Part of Promotion to Culture in Egypt

The European Union (EU) in Egypt is supporting the Aswan International Women Film Festival (AIWFF) this year, the first ever Egyptian film festival dedicated to women’s issues.

AIWFF is dedicated to highlight women’s related issues and their right to achieve their fullest potentials.

It is an important occasion through which cinematographers representing different countries renew their dialogue about the important role of women in society.

"This year, the Aswan International Women Film Festival enjoys a wide participation from European Union Member States and Mediterranean Countries," Ambassador Christian Berger, Head of the Delegation of the European Union in Egypt said.

"This demonstrates a strong interest in a very special festival dedicated to women. In the framework of the EU-Egypt Partnership Priorities, the EU works with Egypt in support of programmes and initiatives that promote women and youth’ empowerment, and cultural exchanges," Berger added.

"Our contribution to the festival has become a centre piece of the EU Gender Action Plan and the New Agenda for the Mediterranean,"the head of the delegation asserted.  "I am very pleased that with the EU’s support, we put a spotlight on films and the cinematic industry addressing women’s rights."

"Young women and men, especially from Aswan, have been trained to use cinematic art as a means to promote shared commitments," he mentioned. "Through our strategic partnerships, the EU will continue to support young women and men in achieving their aspirations."

Cinema has a considerable influence in shaping people’s beliefs, values and perception of reality. In addition, it can influence stereotypes that may hinder women to achieve their aspirations as equally as men.

The EU supports projects who promote gender equality and women and girls’ empowerment including in cinematic and cultural domains. Last year, it supported two workshops for script writing and film making.

This year, 210 young women and men from Aswan selected to participate in six workshops that address different cinematic domains, through the EU support in cooperation with EU National institutes for Culture (EUNIC) namely two workshops in script writing and film making.

Ten films were produced in the workshops and will further compete during the AIWFF . The winning film will be announced during a special closure for the workshops on 28 June.

In March 2021, a total of 71 young people, participated in the EU, supported two workshops on film making and script writing (39 women and 32 men).

In this 5th edition, the European Union in Egypt is sponsoring the ‘Euro-Mediterranean Film Competition’ in collaboration with EUNIC Egypt.

The Competition will encompass 8 feature films: 2 Egyptian and 6 European films representing Austria and Germany (joint production), Belgium, France, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

The EU is awarding a special prize of EUR 3000 to the best film addressing women’s rights and empowerment that will be delivered to the winner during the closure ceremony on 29 June 2021.

The AIWFF is taking place from June 24th to 29th in Aswan, to celebrate the successes, achievements and creativity of women – in front of, and behind, the camera.