Sudan’s women filmmakers are telling stories of resilience with just smartphones : Video

Sudan's grassroots aid network targeted as it tries to fend off famine
FILE PHOTO: Sudanese women from community kitchens, run by local volunteers, prepare meals for people who are affected by conflict and extreme hunger and are out of reach of international aid efforts, in Omdurman, Sudan, May 13, 2024. REUTERS/Mazin Alrasheed/File Photo
Source: REUTERS
Most Read

Far from the frontlines of Sudan’s devastating conflict, a new generation of amateur women filmmakers is emerging in the city of Port Sudan.

Equipped only with smartphones, these women have created three short documentaries highlighting themes of education, independence, and community resilience.

The initiative, launched by filmmaker Mohamed Fawi, aims to nurture Sudan’s first filmmaking community while empowering women to share untold stories. “After the war began, I felt compelled to contribute from within Sudan,” Fawi said.

“The most fitting approach was to create a project for women, as many workshop participants focused on women’s issues.”

One participant, Zeinab Alfadel, explained the process: “We were trained in filming, scriptwriting, and directing. Afterwards, we moved on to production and editing, culminating in the release of our films.”

For Eithar Khairy, another filmmaker, the experience was transformative. “It was challenging but rewarding. The idea came from Miss Bakhita, who suggested making a documentary during the ‘Cinema by Women Workshop.’”

The "Women's Cinema Project," as it’s called, has trained 11 women so far, creating a platform for voices long overlooked in Sudan.

You may be interested in

/
/
/
/
/
/
/