Aswan International Women Film Festival Unveils Poster for Its 9th Edition Honoring the Iconic Umm Kulthum
This year's poster pays tribute to the legendary 'Star of the East,' Umm Kulthum, commemorating 50 years since the passing of the most influential woman in the Middle East and Arab world over the past century.
Poster designer, artist Hisham Ali, explained that he aimed to create a design that captures the cinematic and artistic essence of Umm Kulthum, an unparalleled figure in the history of Arabic music.
The poster embraces a conceptual art style, blending various creative elements to highlight the central theme: celebrating Umm Kulthum through the lens of cinema.
'The centerpiece of the design is a winding black film strip, cleverly shaped to form the features of Umm Kulthum's face,' Hisham revealed.
'This visual fusion between cinema and music symbolizes her timeless artistic influence. The flowing film strip suggests movement and continuity as if Umm Kulthum's legacy remains alive and vibrant across generations—much like cinema itself, which carries creativity from the past into the present.'
Hisham Ali added, 'For this poster, I used simple, abstract lines to depict her features—a style known as line art. This minimalist approach highlights the essential contours without overwhelming details, allowing viewers to focus on the harmony between the art of cinema and the power of music.'
A celebrated visual artist, Hisham Ali has designed posters for several international festivals, earning multiple global accolades for his work.
The 9th edition of the Aswan International Women Film Festival is held under the patronage of Egypt's Ministries of Culture, Tourism, and Social Solidarity, along with the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority, EgyptAir, the National Council for Women, the Syndicate of Cinematic Professions, Aswan Governorate, and Aswan University.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
See - Sada Elbalad
19 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
George Wassouf to Perform Live in Lebanon on August 8
Yara Sameh Iconic Syrian singer George Wassouf will perform live at the 12th edition of the Ehmej Festival in Lebanon, on Friday, August 8. He is set to present several of his popular and latest songs. Wassouf, who was born on December 23, 1961, has a significantly large audience of fans in the Arab world and abroad. He began singing at the age of 10 in his hometown Kafroun and was discovered two years later by his first manager and producer George Yazbeck at a wedding. At the age of 19, the singer became famous after appearing on the Lebanese show 'Studio El Fan' in 1980. He is one of the most successful Arab singers selling over 60 million records worldwide. In 2021, a documentary titled 'Masirati' (My Journey) highlighted the iconic musician's career-defining moments and secrets he has never uncovered before. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Arts & Culture Lebanese Media: Fayrouz Collapses after Death of Ziad Rahbani Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results
CairoScene
a day ago
- CairoScene
A&AGearhub is The First Arabic Music Podcast Dedicated to Soundcraft
A&AGearhub is The First Arabic Music Podcast Dedicated to Soundcraft To musicians, from musicians. Cairo's GearHub Music Store owner Amir Habib and guitar instructor Andrew Maher launched A&A GearHub at the beginning of 2025: the first Arabic-language music podcast of its kind on YouTube, and a go-to platform for everything gear and equipment-related for the region's musicians. The idea for the podcast began a year and a half before its launch. Somewhere along the way, videographer and fellow musician Mohamed Hegazy joined the team. Together, the trio have produced episodes featuring established artists like Hany Adel and Massar Egbari's Hany El Dakkak, where they dive into each guest's approach to soundcraft, their adventures in the world of tones, and their advice for aspiring musicians. 'It really matters to us to build a slightly bigger community here in Egypt,' says Andrew Maher, speaking to the podcast's core mission. 'We're all musicians, we all speak Arabic, and it's normal for us to support each other. What we're trying to build is a decent community, one where people share knowledge, help one another, and nothing is kept secret.' For Andrew and Amir, the idea came from a gap they both felt early on in their musical journeys, a lack of accessible Arabic-speaking spaces where local musicians could learn from one another. 'Back in the day, there wasn't really a space where, say, a skilled guitarist in the market, who's playing or recording in a certain way, could be understood or even approached. You just didn't know how they did it, or how to reach them,' Andrew adds. 'So we're trying to make that communication easier, for people to see this artist and hear them speak openly.' Musicians first, mentors and podcast hosts later, Andrew and Amir were once on the receiving end of the steep learning curve – sitting through hours of YouTube videos and navigating endless rounds of trial and error, all for that one tone-altering piece of knowledge. They'd then bring whatever they'd learnt to their casual meetups over coffee. 'We've always been like this, it's been our life for years before the podcast. It's just our daily routine,' Amir says. 'When we'd meet up for a coffee later in the day, this is all we'd talk about, music. Sharing stories and experiences. You listen to someone else's attempts, and they hear yours. It's all information that just gets stored in your brain without you even realising.' From evening hangouts with friends, talking music over coffee, to the mornings after, Amir Habib returns to his GearHub Music Store, surrounded by rows of Fenders and Gibsons, his head full of tone tips and pedal debates from the night before. In the shop, he regularly welcomes young, eager players looking to start their journey. He takes the time to talk with them about gear, their goals, and how to get started, always trying to point them in the right direction. And even though it's his business, Amir insists: 'I'm never going to give you advice just to get you to buy something.' From casual coffee talks to in-store chats to Instagram livestreams, the spirit behind GearHub stayed the same when the podcast landed on YouTube. It doesn't review to sell. It shares to mentor. 'One of the things we focus on most is simply helping people start. Just start. And we'll be with you throughout your whole journey. Whatever idea you have in your head, we'll help you translate it into sound,' Amir promises. Complementing Amir's calculated approach is Andrew's instinct to dive headfirst into sound experimentation. The duo's dynamic shapes the A&A GearHub podcast. 'Andrew and I are two completely different people,' Amir explains. 'He loves experimenting and he's much quicker to go out, buy something, and try it. I take my time. I overthink and analyse. And I think what makes this work so well is that we complement each other in that way. One of us is fast, the other is slow. The slow one thinks, and the fast one takes action.' Giving musicians and music-lovers more reasons to tune in, the podcast is set to experiment with new formats and introduce fresh elements in its upcoming season. As Amir Habib explained to us, the next season will feature out-of-the-studio footage – moments from live shows, on-the-ground setups, and gear in action with musicians like Cairokee's Hawary or Masar Egbari's Mahmoud Siam just before they take the stage. Set to be shot and recorded over the next two months and released towards the end of summer, the season will also spotlight emerging musicians who are just beginning to carve out their path, the ones still on the come-up but already heading in the right direction. With that, the emerging A&A GearHub podcast might just cement itself as the region's leading platform for sound and music gear, with a deep commitment to supporting and guiding its community at the heart of it all.
Mid East Info
a day ago
- Mid East Info
Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre closes submissions for the 4th edition of its Kanz Al Jeel award - Middle East Business News and Information
The award received a total of 830 entries from 35 countries this year. Abu Dhabi, UAE -July 2025 – The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has officially closed the submissions stage for the fourth edition of its Kanz Al Jeel award, which was launched to honour outstanding works of Nabati poetry, folklore-focused research, and studies that delve into the heritage and authentic values of Nabati verse. The award forms part of the Centre's wider vision to preserve intangible cultural heritage and enhance its presence in both intellectual and creative spheres. The fourth edition of the award received a total of 830 entries across its six categories, submitted from 35 countries, including 19 Arab nations. This marks a 38% increase from the third edition, which received 601 entries, reflecting the growing recognition and prestige of the Kanz Al Jeel award among literary awards. This progress, in turn, underscores the strong presence that Emirati culture and heritage enjoy in the Nabati poetry space in the Arab world and globally. Egypt topped the list of participating countries with 293 entries, followed by Saudi Arabia with 90 entries, Oman with 82, and the UAE and Jordan with 64 entries each. These figures indicate that the award has established a significant presence in the Gulf and Arab cultural sectors. This year's edition of the award also welcomed entries from more than 16 non-Arab nations, including countries participating for the first time, such as Colombia, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Ecuador, Germany, Serbia, Sweden, Nigeria, and Ukraine. This diverse international participation of the award reflects its growing global appeal and its success in fostering cultural exchange via Nabati poetry and its related artforms. The Kanz Al Jeel award's Reading Panel Committee convened their first meeting after submissions were closed, chaired by Ali Obaid Al Hameli, an acclaimed writer and columnist, and Chair of the award's Higher Committee. The meeting was also attended by academic advisor Dr. Ali Al Kaabi, poet Obaid bin Qadlan Al Mazrouei, and author and researcher Mohamed Abu Zeid. The committee debated selection and evaluation criteria to assess submitted works while ensuring the maximum possible transparency, accuracy, and adherence to literary and artistic quality standards. 'The fourth edition of the Kanz Al Jeel award marks a true milestone in its journey, with a record number of submissions from a diverse range of geographical locations and fields,' said Ali Obaid Al Hameli. 'This reflects the award's growing reputation as a global platform to celebrate Nabati poetry and revive it in the hearts and minds of the new generations.' 'The creative momentum and distinct range of voices we witnessed this year reaffirm the strong emotional and intellectual connection that Arab societies continue to feel towards this cherished artform,' he continued. 'It reassures us that Nabati poetry remains a living manifestation of cultural identity, and an artistic expression that is not bound by language but speaks to the collective soul.' Al Hameli went on to note that: 'The award's growing success year after year embodies and advances the UAE's vision to preserve intangible cultural heritage, strengthen its presence in contemporary life, and highlight its blend of poetic beauty and human depth. Kanz Al Jeel Award is steadily moving forward with its mission to consolidate authentic poetic creativity and open new prospects for emerging young talent to engage with this artistic legacy, through a platform that appreciates talent, rewards excellence, and celebrates both the future and deep-rooted tradition.' For the second year running, the Poetry Matching category attracted the most entries, with 465 submissions, accounting alone for more than 56% of all entries. The Arts category followed with 281 entries, then Poetic Publications with 26, Translation with 11, and Studies & Research with 10 submissions. There was a remarkable growth in the Creative Personality category, with 37 nominations, compared to just 10 in the previous edition. This clearly indicates the growing awareness and significance to honour and recognise influential personalities in the cultural movement. Moreover, the award's fourth edition saw strong participation from women, with 263 entries this year, up from 131 in the previous cycle, reflecting their increasing involvement in the Nabati poetry cultural scene. The list also included submissions from leading publishing houses and cultural institutions, further strengthening the award's partnerships with academic and community establishments involved in this artform. The evaluation process for the shortlisted entries will begin shortly, with each of the six categories being assessed by a dedicated expert panel of judges . Inspired by a poem composed by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the UAE, the Kanz Al Jeel Award is committed to upholding its role as a leading platform for celebrating Nabati creativity, preserving Emirati and Arab poetic heritage, promoting its aesthetic and human values among younger generations. The award also honours the brilliant minds that have contributed to preserving this artform and heritage for the future. Recorded figures from this edition of the award clearly demonstrate its widening reach and stronger presence on the regional and international cultural scenes, reinforcing its role in identifying new talent and ensuring the continuity of Nabati poetry in the nation's collective memory. About the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre: The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, was established by a law issued by the President of the United Arab Emirates, in his capacity as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, to promote the Arabic language, set general strategies for its scientific, educational, cultural and creative development, and enhance cultural communication and Arabic language proficiency at the local and international levels. It also aims to support Arab talents in the fields of writing, translation, publishing, scientific research, and audiovisual content creation. It plays a key role in organising book fairs and supporting the publishing industry in the region. To achieve this, the Centre relies on dedicated programmes, the expertise of its teams, and partnerships with prestigious technical, cultural, and academic institutions around the world. About the Kanz Al Jeel Award: Kanz Al Jeel, an Award launched by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) in 2021, is inspired by the poetry of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. With a total value of AED 1,500,000, the award aims to promote poetry – particularly, Nabati poetry – and highlight its role as a mirror of society. It has six categories: Poetry Matching, Arts, Studies and Research, Poetic Publications, Translation, and Creative Personality.
