The second international women's film festival began in Gaza. This year the festival is held under the touching slogan "Women create life out of death". The management of the festival, led by its founder and president, Dr. Azaldin Shelah, announced the selection of five films by female directors from Gaza to be screened at the opening of the festival on Monday, October 26, 2026.
In the destroyed Al-Nakhil Hall in Al-Burij. The festival will continue until October 31, 2026. At the opening of the festival, the following films were screened: Soso: Lifeline, directed by Kauter Munir, tells the story of an orphan boy and his donkey, Soso, who become a means of survival for the residents of devastated Gaza. Directed by Mona Abu Kass, A Bag of Flour follows a female filmmaker as she confronts the memories of the famine and its continuing effect on her life and family, even after flour becomes available again. The Remains of Light, directed by Hanadi Abu Salah, shows her attachment to the memories of the family she lost in the war and her attempt to turn the ashes of her home into hope for others. Directed by Rajada Al-Bohaisi, Beyond Silence tells the story of a deaf artist who lost his parents in the war and finds through painting a way to express his pain and regain his life. Directed by Israa Abu Jayab, Dandana tells the story of a mother who has lost eight children and confronts war by performing Palestinian folklore with a group of her children and grandchildren in displaced persons camps. Despite serious infrastructural obstacles, this year's festival program included 73 films from 24 countries, selected by international judges. At the closing ceremony, prizes will be awarded to the winning films as well as special prizes to the scripts. Photography - Ibrahim Issam.