The Art of Survival: Filmmaking as Healing with Mariam Al-Dhubhani
In our inaugural episode, we sit down with award-winning Yemeni-Russian journalist and filmmaker, Mariam Al-Dhubhani. Discover Mariam's accidental path to filmmaking through a DFI workshop, her personal battles, and how storytelling became her means to confront and overcome challenges.
Explore the significant role of film in preserving collective memories, the unique challenges faced by women in media, and the importance of authentic stories over monetary gain. This episode is a profound look at the healing and transformative power of storytelling on communities and individuals.
More About Our First Guest Mariam Al-Dhubhani
Mariam Al-Dhubhani is an award-winning Yemeni-Russian journalist, filmmaker, curator, and educator based in the MENA region. Her passion for media began during the 2011 Arab uprisings, where she co-founded her first media production. As a two-time TEDx speaker and a pioneer in using virtual reality to highlight stories from Yemen, Al-Dhubhani strives to counter the stereotyping of the region in mainstream media and promote equality in humanity. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Strategic Communication from Northwestern University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Museum and Gallery Practice from University College London. Her films have received numerous accolades, including the Most Promising Filmmaker award at the Toronto Arab Film Festival in 2019 for her film, ‘In The Middle’. Al-Dhubhani has provided mentorship and training to support young filmmakers in conflict areas, including Yemen, Libya, and Iraq. She has also served as a jury member for film grants and festivals in the US, Canada, and Yemen. In addition, she has collaborated with several UN agencies to produce and train young journalists on immersive reality in storytelling. Currently, Mariam is working on her feature debut, ‘Let's Play Soldiers’, highlighted at prestigious film festivals and markets such as Cannes, IDFA, and HotDocs.