Resistance to Darkness: I'm a young storyteller from Afghanistan

Although growing up in Afghanistan, I never had formal access to cinema or opportunities in filmmaking, nevertheless, from a young age, my mind has always been storytelling, mostly about hope and resilience. These were not stories I saw on television, but stories my grandmother told me. Therefore, I was interested and imagined that one day I would illustrate these stories myself. Watching and visualizing some films motivated me to see the power of cinema and filmmaking. These stories made me give voice to the narratives within my heart that are waiting to be seen. In Afghanistan, storytelling is a very challenging task. Many people view cinema as a wicked endeavor, while some see it as entertainment. But for me, filmmaking or cinema is the most essential profession for depicting the various narratives of life. Cinema provides a platform for silent voices, unfulfilled dreams, and people's struggles. I didn't start watching movies for entertainment; rather, I watched them more for the stories and to analyze different acting styles and filmmaking techniques. I find it very interesting how people can change their emotions in front of the camera and transform themselves into someone else. For this reason, I wanted to capture small pieces of my perspective on my YouTube channel and share the world through my small lens with others. For example, A film that showed me the depth of what cinema can communicate was ( Osama ). Every shot was full of resilience, deliberate and every frame painted with care, emotions that are beyond words. The director had added so many details to the film that it made the viewer feel like they were part of the movie.

Additionally, one of the elements I love in cinema is how it transforms ordinary moments into something profound. For example, with lighting, it completely changes the editing of the space. When I edit my videos, I get really excited to give each scene emotion and turn the images into an interesting and captivating story. I think if these skills are developed, they can give a much more realistic feel to the film. For me, the editing process in film means expressing emotions. For example, when I edit scenes from my videos, I feel like I'm not only organizing the images but also creating connections between them. Editing helps me control the rhythm of my video stories and evoke feelings in the audience by creating pauses and moments of reflection. Overall, I dream of a future where cinema and film making is no longer seen as sin in Afghanistan but as a profession where celebrates of different cultures, history and spirits. I am a girl who want to contribute to that future, to use my skills to change perceptions to create empathy and to inspire understanding and open mindedness. I want to show that filmmaking is not just about entertainment but about connecting people giving them a way to see the world, different stories and to look at the world through each other's eyes. This is the power of Art, this is the power of film making, cinema and this is the path I am determined to follow, and shine a light on.