Program Timeline

Program Announcement: July 13, 2026.
Application Deadline: July 31 , 2026.
Announcement of Selected Projects: August, 2026.
First workshop and orientation: September, 2026.
Sessions and Workshops: Sep, 2026 – Jan, 2027.
Pitching: January 2027.
The incubator follows a hybrid format, combining in-person sessions held in Aswan with online sessions.
Tasks, assignments and deliverables by each film team in the development
Project Eligibility Criteria:

⦁ Directors must apply with a short film treatment and film deck.
⦁ The expected duration of the film should be approximately 15 minutes.
⦁ Films should address pressing gender-related or social issues and stories.
⦁ The incubator prioritizes women-led projects, i.e. projects directed by women.
⦁ Documentary projects in all forms are eligible, including observational, archival,
experimental, essay films, hybrid documentaries, and other documentary formats.
⦁ All projects must have a confirmed editor and sound designer on board.
⦁ Projects with attached producers are not eligible to participate in the incubator.
⦁ All projects must sign the following disclaimer form.

Project Eligibility Criteria:

⦁ The incubator prioritizes applications from women filmmakers developing documentary film projects.
⦁ Projects directed by male filmmakers are welcome to participate in the incubator to develop their documentary projects;
provided that the majority of the film crew are women. However, should there be production grants they will be awarded only to female-led films.
⦁ All applicants should have a considerable level of filmmaking experience in directing/assistant directing/creative credit on one of the following:
scripted or documentary content, such as web series, short films, TV commercials, broadcast content, or documentary projects.
⦁ Directors applying with a short film in development must hold the legal rights to the project,
and the project must not have received prior funding before joining the incubator.
⦁ Be available to participate in all workshops.
⦁ Be originally from or currently based in Aswan, Al Nuba, or the surrounding villages.
⦁ Be a registered Refugee residing in Egypt.

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FAQs

What is a Film-Incubator?

The Film Incubator is a mentorship program designed to support mid-career female filmmakers bring fresh, diverse stories to the screen. The program supports participants through every stage of production—from concept development to distribution by providing one-on-one mentorship sessions with industry professionals, personalized project guidance, and networking opportunities with other filmmakers.

At each milestone in the program, projects are evaluated by experts from the film industry, narrowing them down to a smaller number. Finalists are offered the opportunity to have their projects produced by HerStory Films MENA and bring their stories to life on screen.

Can I apply with more than one project?

Yes

Do I need to have creative credits on previous work?

Yes. Any female filmmaker with a previous film credit can apply. By creative credit we
mean that you have worked on a film before either in production, directing,
cinematography, writing and editing.

Does the film have to be registered for IP?

Script must be copyright registered at مسجلة بحماية الملكية الفكرية 

Do I need to speak English to join the incubator?

It is not a must but encouraged. All workshops will be in Arabic but some visiting
speakers might only be speaking in English.

How long do I need to be committed in Cairo?

The total program spans 18 months, including 6 months of capacity building in Cairo
which is not full time but spread across 6 months including full day schedules that
require attendance. There will be a Ramadan and Summer break.

Do I need to apply with a producer?

No

Who funds this program?

This project is funded by the European Union in collaboration with EUNIC Egypt.