Sanaa EL Alaoui is honored by Royal Highness Princess Rym and His Royal Highness Prince Ali bin Al Hussein

Sanaa El Alaoui pictured with Her Royal Highness Princess Rym Ali and His Royal Highness Prince Ali bin Al Hussein. We thank them for their inspiring vision and warm hospitality at the Amman International Film Festival.His Royal shared happiness with sanaa EL Alaoui ( سناء العلاوي ) when getting her jury prise in Jordan 2026.

The Best Short Film called Aicha by Sanaa El Alaoui in Jerusalem 2026

The Moroccan short film "Aisha," directed by Sanaa El Alaoui ( سناء العلاوي ), won the Best Short Film award at the 6th Jerusalem Arab Film Festival, continuing its successful run at international festivals after a series of participations and awards that have solidified its presence on the global cinematic scene. Director Sanaa expressed her delight at the win, thanking the Jerusalem Arab Film Festival management and the jury members for awarding her film the prize, emphasizing that this recognition is a great honor for her. In a video posted on the festival's official Facebook page, she said: "Thank you to the Jerusalem Arab Film Festival and the jury members for awarding the Best Short Film prize to 'Aisha.' This is a great honor for me." She added that the body has always been a mirror of the land, explaining that her film explores the idea of ​​violating the body as an extension of violating the land, affirming that the land, rooted in its history and humanity, always reclaims itself, no matter how much it is violated. Sanaa emphasized the importance of reclaiming the Arab narrative on screen, saying, "It's time to overturn the Orientalist perspective that has distorted our image and identity on screen. It's time to reclaim our voice and our camera, because the camera is not merely a tool in our hands, but an eye that refuses to submit, and no power in the world can silence that eye." She considered the continued success of the Jerusalem Arab Film Festival as proof of cinema's strength and its capacity for resistance, before dedicating the award to the Palestinian people, saying, "I dedicate this award to the Palestinian people, and from Morocco to Jerusalem we say to you: We love you, for our roots are one and our identity is one." "Aicha" is a short Moroccan film written and directed by Sanaa El Alaoui. It blends drama and psychological horror in a humane treatment of sensitive social issues. The story revolves around a seventeen-year-old girl with a troubled relationship with her mother, before a tragedy turns their lives upside down. The film raises questions about loss, memory, and identity. The cast includes Hind Dhafer, Manal Bennani, and Mohamed Amine Kahal. The 25-minute film is produced by Native Line. Presence at International Festivals The film achieved a remarkable presence on the international scene, winning the Audience Choice Award at the Africamera African Film Festival in the Polish capital, Warsaw. Sanaa Alaoui also won the Best Director Award at the Yellowstone International Film Festival in India. The film received a special mention at the Shnit International Short Film Festival, in addition to winning the Best Cinematography and Best Actress awards at the All Africa Independent Film Festival in Rwanda. It also participated in a number of prominent international festivals, including the National Film Festival in Tangier, the Holly Shorts Film Festival in the United States, and the Durban International Film Festival in South Africa.

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.