The Isis International Women's Theater Festival, now in its fourth edition, began on Friday at the Samer Theater in Cairo with a comedic performance titled "Shnab Al-Banat," directed by Azza Hassan and produced by the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts. The event was attended by several notable artists, including Sabri Fouad, Fathi Abdel Wahab, Aiten Amer, Ahmed Eid, Sama Ibrahim, Mohamed Fahim, Ahmed Malek, Rana Raees, and Donia Sami.
The opening performance, "Shnab Al-Banat," stars Nourhan Az El-Din, Amel Abdel Monem, Merna Nadeem, Mina Nabil, Mohamed Amin El-Shenawi, Ahmed Osama, Abdel Fattah El-Dabarki, Ahmed Abbas, Abdel Rahman Mohsen, and Mahmoud Bakr. The play is inspired by the film "Banat El-Am" and revolves around a single night where a bride, Mirft, prepares for her wedding with her sisters and grandmother, only to be surprised by a magical spell that turns them into men.
During their transformative journey, each character embarks on a path of self-discovery, confronting questions and societal norms that have been ingrained for years. The festival's opening ceremony also featured a musical performance by Mervat El-Gasri, accompanied by oud player Majed Suleiman, as well as a 10-minute documentary about the late actress Sanaa Gamil, who the festival is named after.
The festival honored several individuals for their contributions to the arts, including critic Samia Habib, poet Kawther Mustafa, soprano Niveen Oloba, and actress Samah Anwar, in addition to the Egypt Good Charity for its role in supporting the arts. The festival's artistic director, Abeer Ali, stated that the event aims to empower female creators worldwide to exchange experiences and present their work to both critical and public audiences.
The festival, which runs until October 2, features 13 theatrical performances from Egypt, the UAE, Austria, Britain, and Italy. It also includes several workshops on acting, vocal performance, and art criticism, as well as a series of lectures, discussions, and a roundtable on "Women's Issues in African Theater." Furthermore, the festival organizes a playwriting competition in collaboration with Dar Risha Publishing and Distribution, named after the late writer Fathyya El-Assal.
The competition is divided into two tracks: one for emerging female playwrights and another for established writers. The festival provides a platform for female artists to showcase their talents and exchange ideas with their peers. The event is a significant celebration of women's contributions to the world of theater.
Key points of the festival include empowering female creators, showcasing 13 theatrical performances, and honoring individuals for their contributions to the arts. The festival aims to provide a platform for female artists to showcase their talents and exchange ideas with their peers.
Key points
- The festival features 13 theatrical performances from Egypt, the UAE, Austria, Britain, and Italy.
- The event honors individuals for their contributions to the arts.
- The festival provides a platform for female artists to showcase their talents and exchange ideas with their peers.
