Aicha by Sanaa El Alaoui in AIFF ( Jordan)

Cinema Amman (AIFF) invites first-time filmmakers to the Jordan Film Festival because cinema is far more than what appears on the silver screen. Sanaa El Alaoui will attend the festival as the director of her short film, Aicha, to affirm that Arab cinema must renew its identity through the eyes of the camera. Her film celebrates a new generation of storytellers and reflects the belief that Arab cinema can reclaim its authentic voice while embracing contemporary perspectives. Aicha stands as a testament to the idea that cinema can be deeply rooted in Arab culture—truly, one hundred percent Arab in its vision, stories, and identity.

Aicha by Sanaa El Alaoui in AIFF

Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film (AIFF) is aimed at debut achievements in film from all over the world, with a focus on Arab cinema. In addition to its screening programme, which highlights originality and strength of form in the use of film as a medium, the AIFF has a developed an industry section, Amman Film Industry Days (AFID) which targets professional filmmakers and includes a market and pitching platfor

Aicha awarded in the Meknes Film Festival (May 6-9, 2026)

Special Mention (2): "Aicha" by Sanaa El Alaoui, in recognition of its direction, cinematography, and editing. " Best Actress: Manal Bennani for her role in "Aicha." Special Mention (1): "To My Mother," for its profound humanistic theme and sincere message. The 15th edition of the Meknes Film Festival (May 6-9, 2026) concluded with the awarding of prizes to several outstanding Moroccan films. The main awards were as follows: Grand Prize: "Another Day from the Past" by Tahami Bourkhis, for its visual beauty and profound expression. Best Actor: Ahmed Belal for his role in "Another Day from the Past.

Aicha harvests more awards

Sanae El Alaoui العلاوي wins award at Luxor African Film Festival the Silver Mask of TutanKhamon for her film “Aicha” After several awards this year, the short film “Aicha” continues to harvest awards around the world and this time from Egypt 2026.

Aicha wins at Luxor African Film Festival the Silver Mask of TutanKhamon

Aicha by Sanaa El Alaoui wins at Luxor African Film Festival the Silver Mask of TutanKhamon. In the short film competition, the Egyptian film "Dandara's Dreams" by director Sabrine El-Hossamy won the Golden Tutankhamun Mask Award, while the Moroccan film "Aicha" by director Sanaa EL Alaoui (العلاّوي) won the Silver Award. The Moroccan film "Aicha" tackles sensitive societal issues such as self-harm and rape through a poignant story between a mother and her daughter. Director Sanaa Alaoui offers a critical artistic perspective in her film, going beyond simply narrating the story. She redefines the relationship between cinema and the self, continuing her cinematic journey of placing sensitive subjects under the camera's lens.

Aicha wins the top prize in Mexico

Aicha continues to get awards from around the world . This time we are talking about Aurora International Horror Film Festival in Guanajuato.Aicha wins the top prize in Mexico.Congratulations to the family and a big thank you to the festival organizers!

Aïcha: Symbolism, memory and place in Moroccan feminist cinema

Jamal Soussi writes, Aïcha by Sanaa El Alaoui is a short film in terms of duration, but remarkably ambitious in its scope. The film adopts silence as its language, not to conceal, but to reveal. It doesn't recount events: it delves into, unearths, and stirs the layers of memory, ritual, and physical pain. The camera becomes an empathetic instrument, reconfiguring grief and questioning how trauma alters time, identity, and self-perception.

Aicha” Wins Best Short of February 2026 at IndieX Film Fest

Aicha, written and directed by Moroccan filmmaker Sanaa El Alaoui, and produced by Piotr Kaczorowski, has been named Best Short of the Season – February 2026. Running 25 minutes, the film delivers a fully realized cinematic experience that feels expansive rather than brief, where every image, sound, and silence carries intention. From its opening moments, Aicha establishes a quiet emotional gravity, drawing viewers into an intimate world shaped by loss, memory, and spiritual reckoning.