This past month, 30 young filmmakers from Dadaab Refugee Complex graduated from our intensive 12-week filmmaking workshop. The program, funded by the European Union, equipped participants with skills in camera operation, scriptwriting, editing, and sound design.
The graduation ceremony featured screenings of six short films produced entirely by the participants. Topics ranged from girls' education to environmental conservation, from mental health to the dreams and aspirations of young refugees.
"I never imagined I could tell my own story," said 19-year-old Hassan, whose film about the challenges of living with a disability in a refugee camp moved the audience to tears. "FilmAid gave me the tools, but more importantly, they gave me the confidence to believe my story matters."
Three of the graduating films have been selected for the upcoming Rift Valley Film Festival, marking the first time refugee-produced content will be featured at a major Kenyan film event. This represents a significant milestone in our mission to shift the narrative from refugees as passive recipients of aid to active creators and storytellers.
The workshop also created economic opportunities. Five graduates have already been commissioned to produce advocacy videos for international NGOs operating in the region.