Misr El Kheir Foundation and Film Heroine Faiza Honored at the Closing of the Aswan International Women’s Film Festival

11 May 2026

At the closing ceremony of the 10th edition of the Aswan International Women’s Film Festival, Misr El Kheir Foundation received special recognition for its second consecutive year of participation. The foundation’s film heroine, the Egyptian student “Faiza,” was also awarded a special prize by the jury in the Short Films with Impact competition, where she was selected as “Best Influential Character” in recognition of her portrayal as a real-life Egyptian girl who faced challenges with strength and determination.

Misr El Kheir also supported young talents through the “Southern Films” competition. Dr. Hanan El-Darbashi, Head of the Social Solidarity and Debtors Sector at the foundation, took part in presenting awards during the closing ceremony.

Dr. Loay Saad El-Din Nosrat, Acting President of Aswan University, praised the films screened at the festival, emphasizing that they served as an honest reflection of society by deeply addressing humanitarian and social issues.

In a gesture of appreciation, the Acting President of Aswan University announced a full free scholarship for Faiza, the heroine of Misr El Kheir’s film, to complete her Master’s and PhD studies in engineering at the university.

In the same context, Dr. Hanan El-Darbashi noted that the foundation’s participation in the festival focuses on building genuine partnerships with artists to produce works carrying humanitarian messages capable of changing perceptions. She added that the foundation showcased impactful examples addressing various social issues, including indebted women, economic empowerment, and environmental challenges. She emphasized that Misr El Kheir seeks to expand its impact through collaboration with universities and art academies, as well as organizing training workshops for youth to help prepare a generation that is aware of development issues and capable of expressing them through modern artistic tools.

Actor Hamza El-Aily praised the foundation’s support for the film’s heroine, noting that her selection as a model made the jury pause and reflect, as she represents the strong Egyptian woman who can successfully lead her life when given the opportunity. He also commended the foundation’s initiative and commitment to presenting real-life stories in a creative format capable of competing internationally, expecting that the film will win several awards at upcoming international festivals.

Writer Azza Kamel, a member of the festival’s board of trustees, also praised the foundation’s participation, emphasizing that choosing a real-life heroine reflects the authenticity of the experience and presents a role model for using art to serve social causes.

The ceremony concluded with the affirmation that true success is not measured only by awards, but by a work’s ability to reach people’s hearts and influence them—something Misr El Kheir achieved through vibrant human stories.

Faiza’s recognition came as the culmination of an inspiring journey of resilience, in which she overcame illness and the hardships of living away from home, transforming her story into a message of hope that reflects the essence of the foundation’s societal role in improving the lives of Egyptian families.