HerStory Films has officially launched its Film Incubator in the Kingdom of Bahrain, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and the Bahrain Film Festival. This initiative opens new avenues for female Bahraini directors to develop their artistic talents and produce exceptional short films. We are proud to announce our partnership with the Ministry of Information and the Bahrain Film Festival to promote and support female filmmakers in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

During a press conference held yesterday, His Excellency Dr. Ramzan Bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Minister of Information; HerStory Films founders Mona Zaki and May Abdel Asim; and Chairperson of the Bahrain Cinema Club, Sarah Al Badri, announced this exciting partnership during the 4th edition of the Bahrain Film Festival under the slogan “For Her.”

We are thrilled about this partnership and the expansion of HerStory Films’ mission to Bahrain. We are confident this initiative will have a significant impact on the capacity building of female filmmakers in the region. Application details for the incubator will be announced soon by the Bahrain Film Festival.

His Excellency Dr. Ramzan Bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Minister of Information, remarked: “This groundbreaking initiative by HerStory Films marks the company’s first venture outside Egypt, and choosing Bahrain to launch this project during the Bahrain Film Festival is a testament to the growing artistic collaboration between our nations. This incubator offers a significant opportunity for Bahraini female directors to benefit from the company’s wealth of experience, enhance their creative skills, and produce outstanding films.”

May Abdel Asim, Founder and CEO of HerStory Films, added: “Empowering women in the film industry will make a significant difference in how their voices are expressed across various platforms. One of our company’s core missions is to amplify Arab women’s voices worldwide and create a more inclusive film industry, affirming gender equality and sustainable empowerment for women in cinema.

Mona Zaki, Co-Founder of HerStory Films, stated: “This initiative, launched today, is the first of its kind outside Egypt. It aims to empower Bahraini female filmmakers to develop their film scripts through a structured training program, culminating in production. HerStory Films, which I co-founded with publisher and entrepreneur May Abdel Asim, seeks to provide essential filmmaking tools, nurture emerging talents, and support storytelling that challenges conventional narratives about women and society, ultimately empowering women across creative fields.

Sarah Al Badri, Chairperson of the Bahrain Cinema Club, highlighted: “The launch of this incubator project, which aims to empower Arab women and enhance their role in the cinematic landscape, is a remarkable achievement for the 4th edition of the Bahrain Film Festival, held under the theme ‘Celebrating Women in Film.’ This project aligns perfectly with our objectives and underscores the critical role of production companies in supporting women’s issues. I encourage Bahraini female filmmakers to seize this unique opportunity to excel in the world of cinema.”

About HerStory Films:

HerStory Films is the first film company dedicated to producing and developing female filmmakers in the Arab World. Born in Egypt, the company is a partnership between superstar Mona Zaki and publishing veteran and entrepreneur May Abdel Asim. HerStory Films aims to change the narrative for female filmmakers in the region and transport Arab women’s stories to the world. The company is launching with a Film Incubator that will develop and produce six short films over three years, funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. HerStory Films is committed to safety for women in cinema, gender equality, capacity building, and equal opportunities