Doha Film Institute Podcast - Powered by afikra – Details, episodes & analysis

We explore the history, mission, and future of Arab cinema in Qatar and the wider region in the first episode of the Doha Film Institute Podcast, powered by afikra. Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, CEO of the Doha Film Institute, joins us to discuss the institute’s evolution from the Doha Tribeca Film Festival to a year-round platform supporting filmmakers through grants, mentorship, workshops, and networking events like Qumra. She reflects on DFI’s role in supporting storytellers, fostering a collaborative internal culture, and creating spaces for underrepresented perspectives. The conversation also delves into the resilience of the Arab film industry in the face of regional and global challenges, the strategic choices behind festival programing, and the institute’s long-term vision for a self-sustaining film ecosystem.

00:00 Introduction

02:37 A Childhood Defined by VHS and Subtitles

04:46 From English Literature to an Unexpected Career

07:09 Doha to New York

11:02 Challenging Global Misconceptions

14:14 Voices of the Underrepresented

16:49 Building a Year-Round Film Ecosystem

20:11 The Future of Arab Cinema on the Global Stage

23:20 A Growing Network of Support

27:52 Redefining Success Beyond the Oscars

31:50 Making Doha a Film Hub for the Global South

36:04 Mentorship and the DFI Family

41:21 Resilience Through Crisis

44:05 Recommended Watching

46:21 Film as a Serious Career Path

51:09 Closing Thoughts

Fatma Hassan Al Remaihi is a Qatari cultural leader and film executive serving as CEO of the Doha Film Institute, known for developing Qatar’s film industry and supporting emerging filmmakers regionally and internationally through initiatives such as the Ajyal Youth Film Festival and Qumra. She has shaped the Institute’s strategic direction, expanded its regional and international presence, and helped elevate Arab cinema on the global stage. Al Remaihi joined the Institute at its inception in 2009 as Cultural Advisor to the first edition of the Doha Tribeca Film Festival. She later served as Director of Programmes and Acting CEO in 2014, overseeing film funding, training, and international partnerships, leading community outreach and talent development, establishing collaborations including a partnership with the Giffoni Film Festival, and earning recognition such as inclusion in Variety’s 500 most influential entertainment leaders and honors like the Order of Arts and Letters.

Connect with Fatma Hassan Al Remaihi 👉 https://qa.linkedin.com/in/fatma-alremaihi-268b0121

Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

FOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST:

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» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5R1nXmlFpCH4dqegNf2U0E 

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl6boT4njw9GEJNzC3f0bbDQ

ABOUT AFIKRA

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.

📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

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We explore the role of music in shaping cinematic storytelling, and how rhythm, sound, and silence make up an essential language across different film traditions. Our guests Suad Bushnaq, Ben Frost, and Gustavo Santaolalla reflect on their creative processes, the relationship between image and sound, and how they approach composing for diverse narratives and emotional landscapes. They also discuss collaboration with directors, cultural influences in their work, and the evolving role of film scores in contemporary cinema.

00:00 Introduction

02:47 Beyond a Single Label

10:11 Composing from the Page

11:54 When the Sounds Become Iconic

14:08 The Alchemy of Collaboration

19:16 Trusting the Vision

22:41 Finding Beauty in Inexperience

24:48 The Soul of Creation vs. The Machine

31:42 Narratives Beyond the Expected

38:00 The Weight of Choice

45:51 Carving Silence and Sound

50:56 The Geometry of Scoring

54:08 Immersive Worlds and Digital Agency

59:47 A Sonic Signature

01:00:40 From the Theater to the Screen

01:04:15 A Live Performance

Ben Frost is a composer, sound artist and stage director born in Melbourne and based in Reykjavík. Over the past two decades, he has developed a practice encompassing studio recordings, performance, installation, and collaborations in dance, theatre, and film. Albums include ‘Theory of Machines’ (2007), ‘By the Throat’ (2009), ‘Aurora’ (2014) and ‘Scope Neglect’ (2024). Screen credits include ‘Sleeping Beauty’, ‘Palestine 36’, ‘Raised by Wolves’, ‘1899’ and ‘Dark’. A Rolex Arts Initiative protégé of Brian Eno (2011), he collaborated with Richard Mosse on ‘The Enclave’, ‘Incoming’ and ‘Broken Spectre’, and wrote the operas ‘The Wasp Factory’ and ‘The Murder of Halit Yozgat’.

Connect with Ben Frost 👉 https://instagram.com/ethermachines

Gustavo Santaolalla is an internationally acclaimed Argentine composer, producer, and musician. A two-time Academy Award winner for ‘Brokeback Mountain’ (2006) and ‘Babel’ (2007), he has also received a Golden Globe, two BAFTAs, two Grammys, and 19 Latin Grammys. As one of the most influential producers in the Spanish-speaking world, he has shaped Latin American music through over 100 albums. He founded Bajofondo, a collective blending tango, electronic, and Río de la Plata traditions. In audiovisual culture, he’s known for scoring ‘The Last of Us’ video games and HBO series. Currently, he is touring globally with the Ronroco Tour, celebrating 25 years of his iconic album ‘Ronroco’, which launched his cinematic music career.

Connect with Gustavo Santaolalla 👉 https://instagram.com/gustavosantaolalla

Suad Bushnaq is an internationally acclaimed, multi-award-winning Jordanian–Canadian composer of Bosnian, Palestinian and Syrian roots, praised by Hans Zimmer as an ‘incredible artist’. With 12 wins and 15 nominations, honours include two Hollywood Music in Media Awards, four Canadian Screen Award nominations and two Canadian Screen Music Awards. Recent highlights include the BAFTA/Emmy-winning ‘Secret World of Sound with David Attenborough’ (CASMA winner; HMMA nominee), Yunan (Berlinale), Hobal and the Syrian series ‘Al Batal’ (CASMA winner). She also scored Egypt’s Oscar submission ‘Flight 404’ and Iraq’s ‘Hanging Gardens’. A McGill graduate and CFC/Cannes alumna, she has 60+ credits and teaches worldwide.

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

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THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl6boT4njw9GEJNzC3f0bbDQ

ABOUT AFIKRA

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.

📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

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Global icons and independent pioneers Yasiin Bey, Jara, Oddisee, and Nemahsis explore identity, sound, and the fight for artistic autonomy. From the project windows of Brooklyn to the basements of Maryland, these artists reveal how the little rooms of their youth forged voices, powerful enough to fill global stages. In this deep dive, they confront the industry's complex relationship with visual representation, the radical act of independence, and the grounding influence of heritage and faith. The conversation further addresses the necessity of resisting institutional dominance to maintain creative control. Ultimately, these reflections emphasize that true artistic success is found in staying connected to one's earnest internal voice regardless of external pressures.
 

00:00 Introduction

02:16 Musical Spaces and Roots

12:27 Visuals and Music Debate

20:50 Value of Visual Silence

31:03 Visuals for Global Storytelling

37:21 The Shared Human Experience

46:53 Formative Musical Obsessions

49:53 Faith Shaping Creative Identity

52:26 Navigating Artistic Independence

58:21 Resisting Corporate Dominance

01:04:26 Closing Remarks

Jara is a pioneering Saudi rapper from Jeddah, widely recognised as Saudi Arabia’s first female rapper. Her work blends personal story, identity and a drive for impact, pairing sharp lyricism with modesty, creativity and resilience. On stage and on record, she challenges stereotypes and expands what it means to be a Saudi woman in hip-hop. Rooted in her community yet outward-looking, Jara’s voice carries from Jeddah to the world.

Connect with Jara 👉 https://instagram.com/theycallmejara

Nemahsis is a Palestinian-Canadian singer-songwriter known for her powerful voice and deeply personal lyrics exploring identity and belonging as a hijabi Muslim woman. Her 2024 debut album Verbathim earned critical acclaim and praise from artists like Stevie Wonder and Lorde. In 2025, she launched a sold-out North American tour and won two JUNO Awards, including Alternative Album and Breakthrough Artist of the Year. Recently named Women In Music’s Artist of the Year, Nemahsis is redefining independent artistry.

Connect with Nemahsis 👉 https://instagram.com/nemahsis

Oddisee (Amir Mohamed el Khalifa) is a Sudanese-American rapper, producer, and composer from Washington, D.C., known for his sharp lyricism, soulful production, and socially conscious perspective. Blending boom-bap with jazz, funk, and live instrumentation, he bridges underground hip-hop with global appeal. Rising with Diamond District, his solo work, People Hear What They See, The Good Fight, The Iceberg, has earned acclaim for its honesty and depth. A consistent, respected voice, Oddisee turns reflection into rhythm.

Connect with Oddisee 👉 https://instagram.com/oddisee

Yasiin Bey is a Brooklyn, New York-born multi-media artist of international acclaim who has produced significant works in various mediums within an ongoing career that spans nearly 40 years to date. He strives to continually refine, evolve and expand his practice across disciplines. This is his first visit to Qatar.

Connect with Yasiin Bey 👉 https://instagram.com/yasiinbey

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

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THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl6boT4njw9GEJNzC3f0bbDQ

ABOUT AFIKRA

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.

📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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The director of award-winning documentary, My Father and Qaddafi (بابا والقذافي), Jihan K, explores in this episode the nine-year creative journey of reclaiming a family narrative after the 1993 kidnapping of her father, Mansour Kikhia, a former Libyan Foreign Minister turned peaceful opposition leader. Jihan shares a nuanced perspective on her childhood in exile, moving beyond a standard investigative lens to build a collage of Libya using intimate family archives and interviews with a dying generation. The conversation delves into the strength of the director's mother—who led a 19-year international search while nurturing a joyful home—and the challenge of defining "Libyan-ness" for a diaspora generation seeking an identity separate from politics or dictatorship. By humanizing historical figures and bridging a generational fracture, Jihan offers a tender, sophisticated look at memory, loss, and the moral responsibility of preserving a country’s history.

00:00 Introduction

04:58 The Disappearance of Mansour Kikhia

08:08 Discovery, Closure, and the Libyan Civil War

10:45 A Gold Mine of Family Archives

20:50 The Mother as Hero and Warrior

23:42 Reclaiming History From Qaddafi’s Foggy Lens

30:52 Identity and the Libyan Diaspora

35:45 Interviewing a Dying Generation

50:28 Humanizing the Dictator

58:21 Final Thoughts

Jihan was born in exile and raised in Paris while her father, a Libyan human rights lawyer, was the peaceful opposition leader to Qaddafi’s regime. After her father disappeared from Cairo, her family lived between the United States and France, while her mother, a Syrian artist, fought for justice in an international campaign. Jihan received her BA in International and Comparative Politics with a concentration in Human Rights, Philosophy, and International Law and her MA in Art Education and Storytelling.

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

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» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5R1nXmlFpCH4dqegNf2U0E 

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl6boT4njw9GEJNzC3f0bbDQ

ABOUT AFIKRA

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.

📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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Behind the scenes of "Atlas of Cinematic Affinities", filmmaker and curator Zaina Bseiso reveals the obsessive process of distilling 15 years of the Doha Film Institute (DFI) into a visual history that feels more like a sensory experience than a book. We dive into the "ships that keep on sailing" metaphor which guided the book's design, moving away from dry chronologies to explore how 8,000 pages of raw filmmaker artifacts, from 3:00AM script scribbles to personal family portraits, build a collective map of regional and global cinema. Bseiso breaks down the miracle of independent filmmaking in the region, the DFI’s grassroots impact on local film acumen, and why the most powerful cinematic histories are built on shared affinities rather than just data points. From the haptic choice of tracing paper to matching the gaze of characters across pages, this conversation explores what it truly means to capture the motion, silence, and perseverance of a medium that refuses to stand still.

00:00 Introduction: Celebrating 15 Years of Global Voices

01:40 Origins in Experimental Cinema

05:11 The Atlas of Cinematic Affinities

07:02 Motion as a Guiding Principle

10:44 Surprising Milestones and Grassroots Efforts

13:11 Sifting Through 8000 Pages of Process

19:10 Building Relationality and Collective Identity

21:25 Subverting Conventional Structure

24:58 An Encyclopedic Undertaking

27:03 Collaborative Art Direction

32:47 The Weight of Selection

35:14 Retrospection and Regional Realities

39:50 Essential Resources for Film Students

44:00 Measuring Intangible Impact

47:25 Influential Visions in Arab Cinema

51:49 A Growing Legacy for Future Filmmakers

Zaina Bseiso is a filmmaker, curator and educator, whose work explores diasporic narratives, cinematic storytelling, and questions of power in the moving image. She is a Senior Programmer at the Points North Institute, a Shorts Programmer at the Sundance Institute, and serves on the programming board of LA Filmforum. She has collaborated as a guest curator with institutions including the Flaherty Seminar and DOXA Documentary Film Festival, and co-founded Bahia Collective in 2019. Her first feature film, Todo Lo Sólido, is currently in post-production and has received support from Sundance, Sandbox Films, Visions Sud Est, and IDFA.

Connect with Zaina Bseiso 👉 https://instagram.com/zainabseiso

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

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THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl6boT4njw9GEJNzC3f0bbDQ

ABOUT AFIKRA

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.

📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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The regional music industry is entering a new era of global influence. Moza Al-Hajri, Dana Al Fardan, and Dana Al Meer provide an inside look at how Qatar is positioning itself as a world-class hub for content creation and musical excellence. They discuss cultural influences in their work, the responsibility of artists as storytellers, and how creative spaces can nurture emerging voices. From the technical mastery required to produce a multi-song FIFA World Cup album to the preservation of traditional seafaring heritage within symphonic compositions, these leaders are defining a unique Arab voice for the international stage.

01:24 Introduction

02:08 Katara Studios and its Role in Music Production

06:33 Dana Al Meer and the Music Lab Creative Hub

08:32 Dana Al Fardan: Composition and Neoclassical Storytelling

11:01 Building a Regional Music Ecosystem and Global Hub

13:39 Legacy and Development of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra

15:37 Overcoming Personal and Community Challenges as an Artist

18:53 Education and the Future of Performance Arts in Qatar

20:31 Incorporating Traditional Qatari Music into Global Art Forms

22:44 Behind the Scenes of the FIFA World Cup 2022's Music Production

29:00 Creating the First FIFA World Cup Official Album

31:37 Training Global Talent

35:36 Defining a Signature Sound and Identity for the Region

41:55 Audience Q&A: Career Highlights and Collaboration

52:11 Advice for Young Musicians in a Digital Age

57:04 Closing Remarks

Dana Al Fardan is a Qatari composer, songwriter and symphonic artist whose work bridges Arab heritage and Western contemporary classical music. As Qatar's first female contemporary composer to gain international recognition, she acts as a cultural ambassador, connecting audiences across cultures. Her musicals “Broken Wings” (West End, 2018) and “Rumi: The Musical” (London Coliseum, 2021) introduced Middle Eastern narratives to global stages. She also scores films, including “Orca” and “The Necromancer”, and collaborates across genres. Her latest orchestral album “Tempest” inspired by Qatar's maritime and pearl-diving legacy, premiered with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra at Katara Opera House.

Connect with Dana Al Fardan 👉 https://instagram.com/danaalfardan.dna

Dana Al Meer is a Qatari singer, composer, and cultural ambassador known for performing at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup ceremonies. She is the director of Music Lab Qatar, an institute that promotes cultural education and nurtures young talent. In September 2025, she won third place at the Intervision Song Contest in Russia for her song “Huwa Dha Anta”. 

Connect with Dana Al Meer 👉 https://instagram.com/itsdanaalmeer

Moza Al Is’haq is the Chief Operating Officer of Katara Studios, a Doha-based film and media production company. The studio operates as part of Qatar’s growing creative industry, focusing on producing projects that highlight Arab and Qatari stories for international audiences.

Connect with Moza Al Is’haq 👉 https://instagram.com/mozaissac

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

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THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl6boT4njw9GEJNzC3f0bbDQ

ABOUT AFIKRA

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.

📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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"We are all maneuvering in life normally, but our hearts are very much broken."

Journalists Ahmed Shihab-Eldin and Rahma Zein sit down with moderator, cartoonist Khalid Albaih for an essential conversation on the weight of narrative in a time of systemic erasure. We explore the role of journalism, storytelling, and cultural expression in shaping narratives around resistance, identity, and the shared realities of Palestine and Sudan. From the front lines of global media to the personal ripple effect of a single headline, the discussion delves into the reasons we tell stories, beyond informing others, to make sense of the world for ourselves. The speakers reflect on their experiences navigating media outlets, the challenges of representation, and the ways journalism and creative work intersect with advocacy.

This episode was recorded on November 21, 2025

00:00 Introduction: Voices from the Frontlines
02:51 Navigating Life with a Broken Heart
08:22 Beyond the Bio: Redefining Identity
11:00 The Responsibility of Every Storyteller
16:33 Finding a Voice in Conflict?
18:55 The Power and Danger of Headlines
24:35 Reclaiming Narratives in the Digital Age
32:10 The Myth of Objectivity in Journalism
38:38 Channeling Collective Rage into Progress
46:17 The Weight of Systems vs. The Power of People
49:30 The True Cost of Speaking Out
01:01:53 Sudan and the Silence of Structural Erasure
 

Ahmed Shihab-Eldin is an Emmy-nominated journalist, producer and actor. He is known for award-winning documentaries and films on social justice, premiering at Cannes and other major festivals. His resume includes PBS, Al Jazeera, HuffPost Live and “VICE on HBO”. He co-created Al Jazeera English’s The Stream and published Demanding Dignity (2013). He currently hosts the podcast Out Loud, conversations with people challenging the status quo; teaches as Adjunct Professor at the University of Bari and is producing The Visitor. His work has been recognised by GQ and Forbes’ 30 Under 30.

Rahma Zein is a former Egyptian journalist with over a decade in field reporting, media strategy and public relations. She began as an investigative reporter for Egyptian TV and CBC, covering the Arab region during the 2011 political changes and interviewing key political figures. In 2023, she gained international attention for a viral confrontation with a CNN reporter at the Rafah Border Crossing, where she challenged the network’s biased reporting on Israeli war crimes. She’s currently a consultant for Tech for Palestine, an incubator for advocacy projects worldwide.

Connect with Rahma Zein 👉 https://instagram.com/zein_rahma
 

Hosted by Khalid Albaih

Khalid Albaih is a Romania-born, Doha-raised, Oslo-based Sudanese political cartoonist, writer and cultural producer known worldwide as Khartoon. His art and commentary have appeared at Documenta 15, Mathaf and NIROX Sculpture Park, and in The Guardian and Al Jazeera. He is the author of Khartoon! (2018); editor of Sudan Retold (2019) and Sudan Retold 1½ (2025); and creator of Foreigner Everywhere (2026). Albaih founded KhartoonMag.com and @DohaFashionFridays and was shortlisted for the Freedom of Expression Award (2025).

Connect with Khalid Albaih 👉 https://instagram.com/khalidalbaih

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Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl6boT4njw9GEJNzC3f0bbDQ

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

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» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5R1nXmlFpCH4dqegNf2U0E 

THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK

Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl6boT4njw9GEJNzC3f0bbDQ

ABOUT AFIKRA

afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.

📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters

🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts

⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

“It's a miracle that any film exists, but a film made during conflict, even more so.” We sit down with filmmaker, writer, and academic Suzannah Mirghani to discuss her latest film, Cotton Queen, and the harrowing reality of creating art while Sudan faces an ongoing genocide. Suzannah reveals the heartbreaking journey of a production displaced by war, where the cast and crew were forced to flee to Egypt to find safety and a space to continue their work. We explore the "miracle" of Sudanese cinema, a movement that refuses to be erased despite the systemic destruction of the country's tangible and intangible heritage. Suzannah discusses how storytelling becomes a vital act of resistance, preserving Sudanese dialects and histories that are currently under threat of being lost forever.

00:00 Introduction

01:02 From the Classroom to the Screen

01:41 The Heart of Cotton Queen

03:15 Sudan Front and Center in Doha

05:11 Ancestral Echoes and Formative Memories

07:01 Subverting Traditional Narrative Structures

08:31 When Time Becomes the Antagonist

10:20 Interconnecting the Threads of History

12:21 Production Amidst Displacement

15:17 The Doha Film Institute as a Mentor

16:45 Cultivating an Imagined Community

18:41 Borrowed Moods and Stolen Shots

20:10 Writing Cinematic Poetry

22:52 Pushing Back Against the Monolith

24:14 The Intricacy of Approachable Characters

26:12 Preserving Culture Through Dialect

28:31 Collective Relief and the Weight of Nostalgia

31:34 Safeguarding an Endangered Language

32:40 Intentional Programming at Georgetown

35:46 Tangible Outputs: From Conferences to Books

37:57 Merging Academic Research with Scriptwriting

40:02 Essential Literature and Cinematic Gems

42:50 Teaching the Nuanced Histories of Sudan

Suzannah Mirghani is a Sudanese-Russian filmmaker and writer based in Doha, where she works as an editor at Georgetown University in Qatar. She is the writer and director of Al-Sit (2020), which won multiple international awards including the Canal+ Award at the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival and several Academy Award–qualifying prizes. Her first feature film, Cotton Queen (2025), received the ArteKino Award at L’Atelier de la Cinéfondation at the Cannes Film Festival.

Connect with Suzannah Mirghani 👉 https://instagram.com/suzannahmirghani

Hosted by:

Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

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