In the words of Mohamed Mohey: What I found in the workshops exceeded my expectations, and offered me a real opportunity to apply what I had learned during film production

Mohamed Mohey, a 21-year-old from Aswan governorate, is currently in his second year at the Faculty of Commerce. Alongside his studies, he works in modeling and video editing. Despite having no prior professional experience in filmmaking, Mohey has always been passionate about cinema and visual storytelling. In 2024, he learned about the filmmaking workshops through a friend, who encouraged him to apply, as Mohey was searching for a new experience to explore and showcase his creative interests. Encouraged by this support, he decided to join the filmmaking workshops held as part of the Aswan International Women Film Festival (AIWFF) in 2024. He later returned to participate in a new round of workshops organized under the same festival during March and April 2025, in partnership with UN Women Egypt and the European Union. At the end of the workshops, participants were given the opportunity to produce short films and apply, practically, the skills they had acquired. These films were later screened on the sidelines of the festival in May 2025. 

“At first, my family did not understand why I would invest time in a field that is completely irrelevant to my university studies. But my grandmother, who raised me until I turned eight, was my greatest source of support. We used to watch films together for hours, often with a cup of tea and a chat. These moments left a lasting imprint on me, shaping the way I experience emotions and sparking a deep, enduring love for cinema that I didn’t fully recognize at the time. This emotional bond that connected me to art at a young age became my motivation to continue, despite how distant this path was from my academic route.

In 2024, this passion started to materialize when one of my close friends told me about the filmmaking workshops organized under the Aswan International Women Film Festival (AIWFF). He encouraged me to apply immediately, highlighting that such opportunities are very rare. That moment marked the beginning of a transformation — from someone who loved watching films to the beginning of a career as a young filmmaker. 

When I first joined these workshops, I was inclined to try acting, as I assumed that this is what I love. However, as I delved deeper into the workshops, I began to discover new and more impactful roles. Over the course of two years, I joined workshops specializing in art direction and production, fueled by my passion for visual arts. I learned that art direction is not limited to scene coordination or set preparation, but rather requires a great ability to come up with quick and effective solutions to address challenges that may arise during shootings - whether related to location arrangement, lighting distribution, or props coordination. This type of work requires attention to detail and a comprehensive vision, which made me realize its importance as a fundamental component in formulating the final cinematic look and feel of any film.

This year, I was responsible for the art direction of the short film "Qalam Kobia", within one of the workshop projects. The moment we started production, I faced multiple challenges — among them was the need to completely restructure the filming location to suit the required artistic vision of the film. It was a difficult and exhausting experience, but it was a turning point in enhancing my self-confidence and deepening my understanding of the role of art direction in building a film’s visual image.

Initially, I assumed these workshops would be limited to general and theoretical sessions, with no real practical application. However, what I found in the workshops exceeded my expectations. The workshops offered me a real opportunity to apply what I had learned during the short film production. This combination of theoretical learning and hands-on practice helped me strengthen the skills I had gained and provided me with a deeper understanding of the industry's details — from preparation to execution. Today, I dream of pursing my career in this field as an art director participating in cinematic projects inside and outside Egypt.

One of the elements that enriched my workshop experience this year was the session titled “The Role of Development in Empowering Women Artists and Filmmakers.” This session helped me reflect on an important question: “Why do the majority of pioneers in this field remain men?” What struck me the most was that the majority of the directors participating in this year's festival and workshops were women, and they presented outstanding work with deep human element, stemming from their proximity to social realities and the daily experiences that women live in our communities. Through this session, I realized that empowering women in cinema does not only mean giving them a chance but fully recognizing their capabilities and their contribution to enriching the industry. That’s why this session served as a valuable intellectual experience.

One of the most notable aspects of this year’s workshops was the remarkable advancement in technical equipment and resources compared to the previous year, as we had access to high-quality and professional filming and sound equipment. These field-based practical workshops, along with specialized supervision, helped us go through an experience similar to what really happens in the filmmaking industry. Additionally, organizing these workshops in Aswan governorate, away from the capital, is rare, given that most training opportunities are concentrated in Cairo. Providing this type of workshop in other governorates such as Aswan and Upper Egypt, free of charge to the participants, is a much-needed form of support for young talents, and it should continue and expand.

I believe that these workshops are only the beginning, and the journey ahead is still long. I intend to complete my studies at the Faculty of Commerce. But at the same time, I seek to join the Higher Institute of Cinema, Directing Department, to enhance my technical and artistic skills. My dream is to contribute to the development of meaningful films that speak to a broad audience inside and outside of Egypt.

My message to the youth of Aswan and Upper Egypt is to not hesitate to join opportunities like this. What these workshops offer can be truly transformative.  It may seem unfamiliar at first or unrelated to your field of study, but such opportunities can be the gateway to completely different paths. Do not be afraid to take the step, for within every experience lies the beginning of a dream that may one day come true.”