A group of women filmmakers is crafting powerful narratives using nothing more than smartphones in the coastal city of Port Sudan, per rfi.fr/en. Under the guidance of veteran filmmaker Mohamed Fawi, who fled the war-torn capital of Khartoum, these emerging artists are challenging conventional storytelling methods while documenting the untold stories of their nation.
The initiative, born from necessity after the outbreak of fighting between the regular army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023, has already produced three compelling short documentaries. “We lost all our equipment in Khartoum,” Fawi explains, highlighting how the group turned limitation into innovation by embracing smartphone technology.
Among the standout productions is “Toknan” (Knowledge), directed by 26-year-old Areej Hussein, which captures the educational journey of girls from the Beja tribe. Another powerful piece, “Ana Hona” (I Am Here) by doctor-turned-filmmaker Eithar Khairy, chronicles an initiative supporting deaf women and children displaced by war. The third film, “Umm Al Fuqara” (Mother of the Poor), explores cultural preservation efforts among displaced communities.
This renaissance of female filmmaking comes at a crucial time for Sudan’s cinema industry, which had just begun gaining international recognition before the war. The country’s recent achievements include its first Oscar submission in 2020 and a notable presence at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.
Despite working in a city with no previous cinematic tradition, these women have completed their documentaries in mere months – a process that typically takes over a year. “I want the world to see eastern Sudan through our films,” says cinematographer Tasabih Hussein, 22, reflecting the group’s ambitious vision.
For Fawi, this is just the beginning. With plans for a second round of training, he aims to nurture more female storytellers in Sudan, proving that even in the midst of conflict, art and creativity can flourish through determination and innovation.
•Featured image:@mohamedfawi89/X
