The 19th International Women's Film Festival in Salé, Morocco, concluded on Saturday, October 3, 2026. The festival's top prize for feature films was awarded to "Hijra," directed by Saudi filmmaker Shad Amin. The film, which was shot in eight Saudi cities, tells the stories of migrants who chose to settle in Saudi Arabia after performing the Hajj.
"Hijra" also won the award for best female lead, which was shared by actresses Khairia Nazmy and Lamia Faden. The film's director and actresses expressed their joy and gratitude for the win in a video message sent to the festival organizers. The film explores the experiences of women who have migrated to Saudi Arabia and their stories of love and human connection.
The festival's jury awarded its special prize to the Moroccan film "Zanqa Malqa," directed by Maryam Touzani. The award for best debut film went to French director Leïla Benil, for her film "Shana." The best male performance award went to Canadian actor Patrick Hefon for his role in "Love and Resurrection," directed by Ann Emond.
In the documentary category, the top prize went to the Moroccan film "Outside School," directed by Hind Bensari. The jury praised the film "Wolo Bougou" from Burkina Faso. The "Other Shore" award, which recognizes the best Moroccan film that promotes women's issues or gender equality, went to "Last Choice," directed by Moroccan filmmaker Rashida Saadi.
The festival also awarded prizes in the "Window on Moroccan Films" category. Fatima Zahra Obah won the short film award for "Washim Biza," while director Alaâ Akeboun won the feature film award for "Arwah 2." The closing ceremony included a tribute to Canadian filmmaker Anais Barbeau-Lavalette and Moroccan actress Abtisam Elroussi, as well as a musical performance.
The festival is a celebration of women's cinema and aims to promote films that showcase women's perspectives and experiences. The event has become an important platform for women filmmakers to showcase their work and connect with audiences. This year's festival featured a diverse range of films from around the world, highlighting the richness and diversity of women's cinema.
The festival's success is a testament to the growing importance of women's cinema and the need for platforms that showcase women's stories and perspectives. The event will continue to inspire and empower women filmmakers to share their stories and connect with audiences around the world.
Key points
- The Saudi film "Hijra" won the top prize at the International Women's Film Festival in Morocco.
- The festival awarded prizes in various categories, including feature films, documentaries, and short films.
- The event aims to promote women's cinema and provide a platform for women filmmakers to showcase their work.
