Sudanese Filmmakers Shine Light on War’s ‘Silent Problems’

AFP/APP

Egypt: Sudanese directors and actors were in Egypt this week hoping to use the power of cinema to shine a light on the war devastating their country and on world indifference.

Fighting broke out in mid-April last year between Sudan’s regular army, headed by the country’s de facto leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.

The war has killed tens of thousands of people and forced millions more to flee their homes, triggering acute food shortages and a dire humanitarian crisis in the already impoverished country.

 This desperation was highlighted at the Aswan International Women Film Festival through five Sudanese short films.

“We must speak about ourselves and our silent problems, even through a simple artistic production,” Sudanese actress and human rights activist Eiman Yousif told AFP.

The voices of Sudanese women seeking to highlight overlooked social issues found a powerful platform at the Aswan International Women Film Festival, where five short films showcased personal stories often hidden from public view.

Through simple but impactful cinematic works, Sudanese filmmakers and artists used film as a tool to document experiences, address silent struggles, and bring attention to issues affecting women and communities in Sudan.

Sudanese actress and human rights activist Eiman Yousif said artistic expression has become an important way to ensure Sudanese voices are heard.

“We must speak about ourselves and our silent problems, even through a simple artistic production,” Yousif told AFP.

The films presented at the festival reflect a growing effort among Sudanese creatives to preserve stories, challenge social silence, and use cinema as a form of advocacy during a period marked by conflict and uncertainty.