Egypt film festival showcases women’s resilience through adversity
Egypt’s eighth annual Aswan International Women Film Festival took place from April 20 to 25. This year's focus was on the resilience of women, with Egypt's economic turmoil and the war in neighboring Gaza as a backdrop. Cairo-based photojournalist Hamada Elrasam captured scenes around the festival in Aswan, Egypt's southernmost city known as the country's ancient gateway. Captions by Elle Kurancid.
![A video message from Gazan filmmaker Reema Mahmoud plays at Masharawi’s AIWFF talk “Resistance Cinema.” Reema is one of 22 besieged Gazan storytellers who are part of “Ground Zero,” Masharawi’s new funding initiative. Aswan, Egypt, April 23, 2024.](https://gdb.voanews.com/01000000-0aff-0242-82f9-08dc69e51c25_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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A video message from Gazan filmmaker Reema Mahmoud plays at Masharawi’s AIWFF talk “Resistance Cinema.” Reema is one of 22 besieged Gazan storytellers who are part of “Ground Zero,” Masharawi’s new funding initiative. Aswan, Egypt, April 23, 2024.
![Hassan Abu Al-Ela, the AIWFF’s director, says, “We’ve faced great challenges, mostly due to Egypt’s financial crisis,” adding that the Gaza war led “some international guests to express concerns” about making the trip to Aswan, Egypt. April 23, 2024.](https://gdb.voanews.com/01000000-0aff-0242-4701-08dc69e51d28_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Hassan Abu Al-Ela, the AIWFF’s director, says, “We’ve faced great challenges, mostly due to Egypt’s financial crisis,” adding that the Gaza war led “some international guests to express concerns” about making the trip to Aswan, Egypt. April 23, 2024.
![During her AIWFF talk “Cinema and Social Awareness,” Egyptian Minister of Social Solidarity Nevine el-Kabbaj says, “I’ve met with local female entrepreneurs to discuss their main issues,” from early marriage to poverty. Aswan, Egypt, April 22, 2024.](https://gdb.voanews.com/01000000-0aff-0242-970b-08dc69e51d32_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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During her AIWFF talk “Cinema and Social Awareness,” Egyptian Minister of Social Solidarity Nevine el-Kabbaj says, “I’ve met with local female entrepreneurs to discuss their main issues,” from early marriage to poverty. Aswan, Egypt, April 22, 2024.
![The AIWFF organizers share a Nile boat tour with visiting filmmakers to showcase the host city of Aswan as an inspiring filming location for cinematic and documentary projects. Aswan, Egypt, April 22, 2024.](https://gdb.voanews.com/01000000-0aff-0242-5eef-08dc69e51d2f_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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The AIWFF organizers share a Nile boat tour with visiting filmmakers to showcase the host city of Aswan as an inspiring filming location for cinematic and documentary projects. Aswan, Egypt, April 22, 2024.