We’re pleased to introduce the brilliant participants selected for this year’s Arab Film Development Workshop as part of SAFAR Film Festival.

Over a two-day workshop, SAFAR has the privilege of welcoming six early-career filmmakers to develop their projects connected to or inspired by the Arab world, with support from SAFAR co-founder, educator and filmmaker Saeed Taji Farouky. This intensive, collaborative workshop allows filmmakers to build networks, test out ideas and get advice on everything from narrative structure to financing ideas.

You can read more about the selected filmmakers here, so have a look at their work, and show them your support as they develop their next projects.

Azza Abdelwahid Yousif is a Sudanese- French Filmmaker born in Cairo, raised in Amman, currently living between Paris & Athens. You can follow Azza’s journey through her Instagram page @azza_yousif.

Hannah Bellil is a British-Tunisian creative producer exploring identity, queerness, and cultural inheritance through poetic visual storytelling. She executively produced ‘Inside the Blind Iris’, directed by Douglas Bernardt in partnership with Olivier award-winning Botis Seva, commissioned by Sadler’s Wells. After 13 years producing in the cultural space, she is now stepping into directing to tell deeply personal, politically resonant stories. She can be found via her Instagram page @hannahbellil.

Riham Moussa is a studio producer and journalist making narrative-driven work for platforms like BBC Radio 4 and Audible. Driven by stories that challenge power, centre decolonial perspectives, and spotlight human rights and social justice.

Noor Sobka is a Libyan Writer and Performer based in the North. Noor works across Theatre and Screen and has a particular interest in Comedy and telling MENA stories. Noor also writes sketch comedy. You can follow her work via her Instagram @noorsobka

Ali Al-Jamri is a poet, essayist, editor, translator, and educator in Manchester. He was one of Manchester’s inaugural Multilingual City Poets (2022-2025). His short film, The Legend of the Looms, was first exhibited by the British Textile Biennial in 2025. You can keep up with him on Instagram  @alialjamri_scribbles

Warda Reggane is a British-Amazigh multidisciplinary artist based in London. Through film she aspires to unite diverse artistic practices and experiences, to share narratives that resonate beyond language. Follow her creative journey through her Instagram  @wardareggane

You should keep your eyes on these rising filmmakers as they’re the ones bearing the flag for the future!