🎭 “Shanab El Banat” Opens the Festival
The fourth edition of the Isis International Women’s Theatre Festival has officially begun at Al-Samer Theatre in Agouza, opening with the theatrical production “Shanab El Banat” as part of a program dedicated to highlighting diverse women-led theatrical experiences.
The festival will continue until October 2, 2026, bringing together 13 theatrical productions from Egypt and a number of Arab and foreign countries.
This year’s edition presents a varied cultural program that goes beyond theatrical performances, combining theatre, cinema, training workshops and intellectual dialogue, while placing particular emphasis on supporting women’s creativity and expanding public access to artistic events.
⭐ An Edition Dedicated to Actress Sanaa Gamil
The fourth edition is named after the late Egyptian actress Sanaa Gamil, honoring her long artistic career and her contributions to theatre, cinema and television.
As part of the opening ceremony, a film documenting Sanaa Gamil’s artistic journey was screened, highlighting important aspects of her career and celebrating the legacy she left across several areas of Egyptian performing arts.
Choosing Sanaa Gamil’s name for the fourth edition also gives the festival a special commemorative dimension, connecting its current celebration of women’s creativity with the legacy of one of Egypt’s prominent actresses.
🎬 Theatre and Cinema in the Festival Program
The festival’s activities are not limited to theatrical productions. The program also includes a screening of the film “Fayza”, organized in cooperation with the Misr El Kheir Foundation.
The inclusion of cinema reflects the festival’s broader artistic approach, giving audiences the opportunity to engage with different forms of creative expression alongside the main theatre program.
A number of training workshops are also scheduled as part of the festival, adding an educational dimension to the event and creating opportunities for participants to gain experience and interact with different artistic practices.
👩🎭 13 Productions from Egypt and Abroad
The fourth edition features 13 theatrical productions from Egypt and several Arab and foreign countries, creating a diverse program that brings together different theatrical experiences and artistic approaches.
This international and regional participation provides an opportunity for cultural and artistic exchange, allowing audiences to discover different ways of presenting theatre and exploring human, social and artistic themes.
The festival also places special attention on supporting women’s creativity by highlighting theatrical experiences created and presented by women and providing them with a platform to reach a wider audience.
📢 Major Artistic Presence at the Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony was attended by a large number of artists, including Fathy Abdel Wahab, Chico, Ahmed El-Salkaoui, Ahmed Eid, Sama Ibrahim, Donia Samy, Aiten Amer, Ahmed Malek, Rana Raees, Fatma El Kashif, Ahmed Shaheen, Abdel Moneim Riad, veteran actress Awatef Helmy and director Ahmed Fouad.
The presence of numerous artists added a strong artistic dimension to the opening ceremony and reflected the interest surrounding a festival that brings together theatre, cinema, training and cultural dialogue.
🎭 Supporting Women’s Creative Experiences
The fourth edition of the Isis International Women’s Theatre Festival focuses on presenting diverse women’s artistic experiences through theatre, workshops, cinema and intellectual activities.
The festival’s program is designed not only to present performances to audiences, but also to create opportunities for interaction, learning and dialogue.
The participation of productions from Egypt, Arab countries and foreign countries further contributes to cultural exchange, allowing different artistic perspectives and theatrical approaches to come together within one festival.
✨ A Festival Combining Theatre, Cinema and Training
With its combination of theatre performances, cinema screenings, training workshops and intellectual dialogue, the fourth edition seeks to provide a broader cultural experience for both artists and audiences.
As the festival continues through October 2, 2026, its program offers audiences an opportunity to discover a range of theatrical experiences while engaging with accompanying activities designed to support women’s creativity and expand access to the arts.
Opening the festival with “Shanab El Banat,” while dedicating the edition to the legacy of Sanaa Gamil and presenting a film about her artistic journey, gives the fourth edition a distinctive beginning as the festival continues its program of theatrical, cinematic and educational activities.
