Aicha is awarded the Jury prize in The 7th Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film (AIFF)

There are many distinct awards presented on the closing night of the Amman International Film Festival: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DbmEhK9ivMX/ The Black Iris for Best Arab Feature-Length Narrative Film (15,000 USD) Jury Award - Arab Feature-Length Narrative Film (5,000 USD) The Black Iris for Best Arab Feature-Length Documentary Film (10,000Jury Award - Arab Feature-Length Documentary Film (5,000 USD) The Black Iris for Best Arab Short Film (4,000 USD) Jury Award - Arab Short Film (1,000 USD) The Black Iris for Best Non-Arab Feature-Length Film (4,000 USD) ​Jury Award - Non-Arab Film (1,000 USD) Likewise, the jurors may decide to grant a Special Mention to: Best First-time Lead Actor (Arab Feature-Length Narrative Competition) Best First-time Lead Actress (Arab Feature-Length Narrative Competition) Best First-time Feature Narrative Scriptwriter (Arab Feature-Length Narrative Competition) Best First-time Feature Documentary Editor (Arab Feature-Length Documentary Competition)

Grand Prize to Aicha by Sanaa El Alaoui in Jerusalem ( JAFF ) 2026

The festival’s official competition includes seven feature-length narrative films produced through Arab-European co-productions, six feature-length documentary films, and three Palestinian short films. It also features 18 short films from Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Yemen, Tunisia, Algeria, and Lebanon competing in the official short film competition. The 25-minute short film "Aisha," produced in 2025 and directed by Polish-based Moroccan director Sanaa Alaoui, offers a bold treatment of the issue of rape from a human and spiritual perspective, avoiding direct rhetoric or melodrama. The film revolves around a female undergraduate student who is subjected to physical abuse that disrupts the family unit. The tragedy becomes the starting point for a symbolic healing process led by the mother through Gnawa and Jazba rituals, in an attempt to restore her inner balance and rescue her daughter from the cycle of silence and shame.

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.