The Gaza International Women's Cinema Festival has announced its official list of participating films for its second edition. A total of 73 films from 24 countries will be featured, including two films from Libya in the short documentary and short narrative film categories. The festival, titled "Women Making Life from Death," will run from October 26 to 31, 2026, in Gaza.
The festival will feature five main categories: long narrative films, long documentary films, short narrative films, short documentary films, and a national short film competition. Libya's participation in the festival is part of a larger international representation, with countries such as Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Iraq also participating. The festival aims to showcase the work of women filmmakers from around the world.
The festival's organizing committee, led by Dr. Azzedine Shulh, has announced the formation of a jury committee to evaluate the participating films. The committee consists of academics, writers, critics, and filmmakers from five Arab countries. The jury will assess the films based on their artistic and technical merits.
In the long narrative film category, 10 films will compete, including "حدّه" by Ahmed Riyadh from Algeria and "ملكة القطن" by Suzana Merghani, a co-production of Germany, France, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Egypt. The long documentary film category will feature six films, including "تسعة زوكي بيترو" by Bichini Marticella from Italy.
The short narrative film category will have the largest number of competing films, with 27 films from various countries. Notable entries include "الحجلة" by Shimaa Tafesh and "نص حالة" by Mohamed Hafez. In the short documentary film category, nine films will compete, including "حلومة" by Aladdin Khuraz from Morocco and "ألوان" by Nora Ali from Libya.
A separate competition for screenplays will also be held, with 31 scripts competing from various countries. The winning scripts will be announced during the festival's closing ceremony on October 31, 2026. The festival's organizers aim to promote the work of women filmmakers and provide a platform for them to showcase their talents.
The festival's second edition is expected to attract a large audience and provide a unique opportunity for filmmakers to network and exchange ideas. With its diverse range of films and events, the festival is set to be a significant event in the world of cinema. The festival's focus on women's cinema is particularly noteworthy, as it highlights the important role that women play in the film industry.
Key points
- Libya will participate in the Gaza International Women's Cinema Festival with two films.
- The festival will feature 73 films from 24 countries.
- The festival will run from October 26 to 31, 2026, in Gaza.
