With their storytelling abilities, Egyptian women filmmakers are crafting narratives to entertain and to challenge societal norms and illuminate the complexities of life in contemporary Egypt. A number of directors are breaking barriers in the traditionally male-dominated film industry, contributing to greater representation of women in cinema. Kamla Abu Zekry Among the directors that have made waves in the last decade and a half is Kamla Abu Zekry. Her career spans both cinema and television, and she is known for her focus on women’s lived experiences that is evident in Segn El Nesa (Women’s Prison, 2014), where she explores the interconnected narratives of female inmates and tackles themes of loss, resilience, and injustice in women’s perspectives. Abu Zekry gained widespread acclaim for her work in Bent Esmaha Zat (A Girl Called Zat, 2013), based on Egyptian author Sonallah Ibrahim’s novel, which traces one woman’s life across decades of political and social change. The series portrays Zat’s struggle with personal and cultural identity as she navigates shifting norms in dress, language, and lifestyle, while also confronting gender inequality within marriage, family life, and limited professional opportunities. Her feature film, Yom lel…
Celebrating Egyptian Women Filmmakers: Voices of Change in Cinema
October 1, 2025
By Belal Nawar
Senior Journalist
