At this unique film festival, watch a collection of 58 short films from around the world, predominantly by  female directors, producers, writers, editors and cinematographers.

Where: VOX Cinemas, Mall of the Emirates

When: March 3 to 8 2017

They include 14 filmmakers from the Middle East, among them four Emiratis and six Iranians, as well as others from 24 countries across five continents, with an increased number of male filmmakers committed to empowering women on and off the screen.

Among the Emirati films to be screened is ‘Sounds of the Sea’ by poet, scriptwriter and award-winning director Nujoom Al Ghanem, in which a young boy enlists the help of his teacher to revive an old sea song which has not been performed properly in decades.

Another, ‘Sea Shadow’, a love story about two young Emirati villagers in Ras Al Khaimah, is from Nawaf Al Janahi, who started acting at the age of seven, studied the art of film making in California, and has directed several award-winning independent short films.

In “The world before her,” Indian director Nisha Pahuja looks into the lives of two very different young Indian women – one a Hindu fundamentalist and the other a beauty pageant winner.

Another, ‘Not Black Enough’ from American Tracey Anarella is about class warfare and the cross-tides that African-Americans are dealing with within the black community.

WOW Middle East’s opening two days on March 3 and 4 will feature a series of screenings at the open air VOX Cinema on the rooftop of the Galleria Mall in Jumeirah. Each day’s programme also includes a series of talks, panels and workshops at Vox Cinemas, MOE.

 

 

Designed as a festival of discovery, celebration, debate, networking and an inspiration for new work, the non-profit event was launched four years ago by Dubai-based Straight Street Media to enhance the status of women by supporting and advancing women working in the film, television and related screen industries.