Writing Hawa

Afghanistan, 2023. After an arranged marriage at thirteen and six grown-up children, Hawa emancipates herself from her role as housewife by learning to read and write. Determined to rebuild her life despite the many obstacles, she is supported by her daughter, Najiba Noori, the film’s director. But when the Taliban regained power, her dreams, like those of many women, were shattered. Najiba fled to France while Hawa remained, determined to keep her hopes alive despite the severe restrictions imposed on women. This film pays tribute to Hawa’s resilience and to the unshakeable courage of Afghan women in the face of oppression.

This film won the Young Documentary Jury Prize at the FIFDH 2025.