Zainab Entezar is an Afghan filmmaker, producer, and writer, recognized for her dedication to portraying the lives and struggles of Afghan women. She began her career in 2014 with the short film Maryam and gained international recognition with House, selected at the Locarno Film Festival. Her short films, including Bicycle and Rise and Shine, have screened at over 170 international festivals.

Her latest feature-length documentary, Shot: The Voice of Freedom (2024), premiered at IDFA in Amsterdam and won multiple awards for Best Documentary and Human Rights Film. Entezar is also a novelist and is regarded as the first Afghan woman filmmaker to produce films under Taliban rule. Living in exile, she continues to amplify the voices of silenced Afghan women through her films and awards
Degree in Journalism
Shot: The Voice of Freedom (2024) – Feature-length documentary, IDFA premiere

Rise and Shine – Short film

Bicycle – Short film, multiple awards

House – Selected at Locarno Film Festival

Maryam (2014) – Short film debut

Awards & Recognition:

Multiple Best Documentary and Human Rights Film awards

International jury member at festival
Novels: A Man Wore Gentle Like Dad, Yusra, The Womenly Voices of Freedom