Cairo to host its first Egyptian Woman Arts Festival

Cairo is to host its first Egyptian Woman Arts Festival from 30 May - 2 June, organised by the Coalition of Image Makers of Egypt in cooperation with the cultural production sector of the culture ministry. The festival's name is general so it can encompass all social and artistic topics that relate to Egyptian women. Participants are encouraged to only submit cinematic, theatrical and visual arts works that discuss women's issues. These submissions in all art fields go on to compete for the Egyptian Woman Arts Festival prize. Not only should the works presented focus on Egyptian women, but the festival organisers have decided to limit the competition to female participants. Males can participate only under the team of the female artist, for example, if they were a part of a movie crew. The spokesperson for the Coalition of Image Makers, Ahmed Abdo, announces that there will be five plays presented at the festival featuring a number of topics that target and discuss the Egyptian woman today. Competing in this festival are eight short films and eight documentaries, whereas in the visual arts category, over 40 photos, paintings, sculptures and jewellery designs will compete for the best artistic and creative piece of the festival. Abdo also confirmed that this festival will hold three seminars entitled: Egyptian Women's Role in the Arts and Cultural Fields, Copyrights Issues in Egypt and Freedom of Creativity. The festival's venues and the programme are yet to be announced.