In the words of Mona Ahmed: The workshops provided me with a space to express myself, learn, and discover the role of art in society

Mona Ahmed, a 32-year-old woman from Aswan governorate, a master’s degree holder from the Institute of African Research and Studies at Aswan University. Her thesis is titled "The Anthropological Significance of Community Arts in Africa and Their Role in Society." Mona was in search of a new experience, one through which she could express her personal interests away from academic and professional pressures. A friend recommended to her the filmmaking workshops organized as part of the partnership between UN Women Egypt and the European Union, in collaboration with the Aswan International Women Film Festival (AIWFF) that took place during March and April 2025. At the conclusion of the workshops, participants had the opportunity to work collectively on producing short films, applying the practical skills they had acquired. These films were later screened on the sidelines of the AIWFF in May 2025.

“I had been experiencing considerable mental fatigue and felt the need for a new outlet through which I could direct my energy and contribute to something that genuinely reflects who I am. I was particularly drawn to the idea of exploring the field of video production with the aim of creating visual content relevant to my academic discipline. I strongly believe in the power of visual documentation and presentation as an effective method to share knowledge. That’s why I felt these workshops were suitable for me.

I believe the real turning point in my life was after finishing high school, when I got enrolled in the Faculty of Arts at Sohag University, far from my family. That was the first time I was fully responsible for my own decisions. It helped me build a sense of independence and appreciate my self-worth. My parents supported me every step of the way, and their encouragement played a major role in boosting my confidence to continue my path. What I appreciated most about the workshops was that they did not impose any rigid frameworks that would limit our ideas. Instead, they gave us complete freedom to express our thoughts as we want. This open and inclusive environment encouraged me to confidently engage [in the workshops], particularly given the diverse backgrounds of the participants. Every participant brought unique goals and perspectives, which made the teamwork, under the director’s guidance, rich and inspiring. I felt truly grateful to be part of a space where we could express ourselves freely, without fear or pressure. This experience offered a safe and supportive environment where women could share their thoughts and experiences without judgment or social constraints. That spirit and direction had a powerful impact on boosting my self-confidence and helped me speak honestly and openly about how I feel and share my thoughts.

At the outset of my participation, I found myself questioning the relevance of fields such as directing, production, or filmmaking in general to my academic specialization in anthropology and economic empowerment. I wondered whether this artistic path could genuinely enrich my academic and social interests. However, what I discovered through the workshops exceeded all my expectations. I came to realize that the gap between the two fields was not as wide as I had initially imagined. In fact, there were significant intersections. Every tool we acquired, such as: scriptwriting to camera setup, lighting techniques, visual storytelling, and understanding the distinctions between shots and scenes, as well as technical terminology such as “rapport,” “casting,” and “decoupage”, proved to be more than just technical instruments. They were powerful and effective means for conveying human stories, particularly those that are often marginalized or overlooked.

Another aspect that deeply enriched my experience was learning how to select actors and assign roles based on the nature of each character. I came to understand how preserving the actors’ expressions during filming and guiding them in a way that maintains consistency with the director’s vision as well as coordinating the characters’ appearances based on the scene sequence are essential steps to keep the production smooth and coherent. I had the chance to learn about different camera angles and lens types, along with the basics of editing, which enabled me to communicate effectively with the editing team and contribute to shaping the final film in a way that matched our shared vision.

During the workshops, I was offered an opportunity to try acting. However, I withdrew at the last moment. This was not due to a lack of interest, but rather due to the prevailing “public awareness” within my village, where certain professions are still perceived through a stereotypical and discouraging lens and knowing that pursuing acting would be met with a lot of social pressure. So, I decided to focus on directing. My parents supported this choice wholeheartedly, which strengthened my belief in the path I chose.

The workshops also included a session entitled "The Role of Development in Empowering Women Artists and Filmmakers”. My participation at this session made me reflect on the profound role that cinema plays in shaping public awareness around women's issues—not through direct cliché slogans, but through sincere, human-centered storytelling that conveys real concerns. I was reminded of movies like those written by the late Wahid Hamed [renowned Egyptian Scriptwriter], which succeeded in addressing complex issues through a dramatic language that resonated deeply with audiences and respected their intellect.

In addition, I truly enjoyed the engaging practical component, through which we were divided into small groups to work on short film productions. This gave me a real opportunity to apply everything I learned as part of a cohesive team. I took part in the short film “Qalam Kobia” as an assistant director. It was a deeply enriching hands-on experience, far beyond just technical training. I learned how to be part of a film crew and how to develop a visual idea from the initial concept to execution. This experience boosted my confidence in my decisions and deepened my understanding of how to use art as a powerful tool to support the causes I believe in.

Now, that the workshops are over, I’m thinking about developing visual projects that open new spaces for narrating our realities. But I don’t want storytelling to be just words—I want it to get translated into actions. Actions that expand over time, live and breathe, and reach as many people as possible. To me, this is not just a passion anymore, it’s a responsibility.

To every young woman who believes in her power to create change in her community and is looking for tools to express her vision and bring her ambitions to life, I say confidently: this field can provide you with the space to reach your dreams and leave a lasting impact beyond the moment.

As for me, every time I listen to a woman telling her story, I feel the whole world should pause, listen and let her finish. Because every story told makes us ask ourselves: why did it take us so long to start listening? That’s why I believe that listening to stories shouldn’t be about recording them, it should be about engaging with them and turning them into living action. Action that carries her voice to the places where it deserves to be heard and even inspires change.