HerStory Films Mena

About the Program

This is a call for female film directors to apply to HerStory Films film incubator with their short film projects. In today’s ever evolving creative scene, providing an opportunity for women to find themselves and gain their place in the industry is an essential step, not only to develop their artistic skills, but also to bring their perspective to the process and the story. We believe that the more women are part of the filmmaking industry in leadership positions the more we change the narrative across all segments.

HerStory Films Film Incubator offers an introduction to the filmmaking industry and capacity building for 20 emerging women filmmakers through the first ever Incubator for Female Filmmakers in Egypt with a focus on gender sensitive capacity building. The Incubator is a talent-focused development program. Filmmakers come to the Incubator with a short film project. The main aim is to provide specific knowledge, skills, connections and inspiration to enable each participant to advance themselves and their careers.

Three female directors from the incubator will receive production grants for their short films, aiming to challenge the narrative around women in cinema.

This program is proudly funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Egypt.

Program Timeline

Program Announcement: March 18, 2025.

Application Deadline: April 12, 2025.

Announcing selected projects: May, 2025.

First workshop and orientation: June, 2025.

Sessions and Workshops: June – Dec, 2025.

Pitching for film grants: Jan – Feb, 2026.

Film production timeline: Feb – Sep, 2026.

Sessions are in person and all held in Cairo. Some sessions will be online.
Tasks, assignments and deliverables by each film team in the development
and pre-production phases are important and part of the evaluation.

Project Eligibility Criteria:

 

  • Directors apply with short film script and treatment.
  • Directors can also be the writers of the film script.
  • The expected duration of the film must not exceed 15 minutes.
  • Films should address gender or women related topics and stories.
  • Women led projects; i.e., female directors and female writers.
  • Script should be copyright registered مسجل بحماية الملكية الفكرية.

Applicants Eligibility Criteria:

  • All applicants should have a considerable level of filmmaking experience
    with scripted content, such as web series, shorts, TV commercials, or
    broadcast content.
  • Have written film treatment/pitch deck and script.
  • Directors applying with their short film script in development have its legal
    rights with no other funding sources prior to incubator.
  • Have a directing/assistant directing/creative credit on one of the following:a short film, TV commercial or digital copies.
  • Be available to participate in all workshops.
  • Be an Egyptian resident.
  • Be a registered Refugee residing in Egypt.
Apply Now

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

What does “gender related topics” mean in this context?

A film that discusses gender related issues such as inequality, lack of access to the
labor market, certain societal issues that affect men and women.

What is the definition of gender?

Gender includes the social, psychological, cultural and behavioral aspects of being a
male or female.

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 in Arabic?

Yes

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

Does the film team have to be all women?

We are an inclusive environment and all genders are welcome.However, the director
and writer need to be women.

What is the age bracket?

21 to 99 years of age 

Do I need to be based in Cairo?

We are excited for all applications from across Egypt. However, the training will take
place in Cairo.

Who funds this program?

This program is funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Egypt. It is a fully funded program and there are no costs for the applicant other than showing up and committing to the program.