Gaza Gaza – July 2019
The Women’s Affairs Center (WAC) in Gaza launched the “Women’s Mobile Film Festival”, screening (15) short films produced using mobile phones. The festival attracted hundreds of attendees, including intellectuals, writers, academics, journalists, representatives of civil society and international organizations, as well as cultural activists.
The films were produced as part of WAC’s project “A Tale for Every House: Breaking Stereotypes and Enhancing Women’s Image in Media”, implemented in partnership with the Palestinian Institute for Communication and Development (PICD) and GVC, with funding from the European Union (EU) and support from Trocaire.
In her opening remarks, Amal Syam, WAC Director, said:
“Today we showcase 15 out of 22 films produced during our mobile filmmaking training, reflecting stories of both women’s struggles and successes. Behind these films stand 25 creative young Palestinian women, who are breaking into a field long dominated by men.”
Karam Matar, GVC spokesperson, highlighted WAC’s key role in the MedFilm4All program, crediting its strong commitment to gender equality and the fight against stereotypes through audiovisual productions.
Itemad Washah, WAC’s Video Unit Coordinator, emphasized that the films were created by young female directors under WAC’s supervision to foster more advocates for women’s rights, combat gender-based violence, and challenge traditional stereotypes through visual storytelling.
Meanwhile, Fathi Sabah, PICD Director, praised the high quality of the films and their ability to address humanitarian and political issues with depth, stressing the importance of supporting emerging female filmmakers.
The screened films tackled gender-sensitive themes related to Palestinian women, international advocacy, and the impact of the Israeli occupation and blockade on society at large, with a special focus on women. Notable films included: “Abeer’s Story,” “The Neighbors’ Son,” “Babylon,” “Black Bag,” “Ghalia,” “A Glimpse of Hope,” “Outfit,” “Woman of 1967,” “A Pending Dream,” “Legless,” “Right to Dream,” “Raise Your Hand,” “Besieging Caramel,” and “Mariam.”
