Narratio is a global platform for youth empowerment through creative expression, publishing content from over 18 countries across three continents.
Narratio is a global platform for youth empowerment through creative expression, publishing content from over 18 countries across three continents.
Photo: Jeremy Brinn
The 2020 Narratio Fellowship came together under unprecedented circumstances with aspirations of storytelling through autobiographical documentary films. With the guidance of Artist-in-Residence Ana Vîjdea, the newest class of Fellows worked diligently to shoot seven films offering intimate and powerful glimpses into their lives, identities, and memories—from epic journeys to daily routines.
Each Fellow contributed hours of labor to their own and each other’s films, pulling from life experiences and expansive imaginations and offering perspectives from Somalia, Iraq, Kenya, Eritrea and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Congratulations to the 2020 Narratio Fellows:
Artist-in-Residence Ana Vîjdea instructs Fellow Abigail Nganga during the 2020 summer workshops. Background: Fellow Aman Yohannes.
Combining weeks of summer workshops and virtual lessons, the six Fellows gained the skills to channel complex ideas and emotions through the medium of filmmaking, all-the-while encouraging one another to explore the power of storytelling.
The program welcomed guest-workshop leaders from various backgrounds and industries, including journalists, photographers, producers, filmmakers, and members of the Inaugural Fellowship Class. We are grateful for the participation and guidance from:
Raja Elidrissi, Associate Producer, Vox
Annie Ning, Filmmaker
Lily Herman, Freelance Writer, Editor, and Digital Strategist
Cosmin Nicoara, Film Editor
Hallie Cooper-Novack, Filmmaker
Steven Breckon, Cinematographer
Audience Q&A with the 2020 Fellows
The 2020 Fellowship members pose before the screening of Resettling
The 2020 class of Narratio Fellows introduced their films in a live-stream premiere titled Resettling, as part of Syracuse Symposium’s year-long series on “Futures.”
The virtual screening included conversations with both the Fellows and Artist-in-Residence Ana Vîjdea.
Each film below is now coupled with a profile feature of the Fellow, courtesy of Syracuse University’s Maggie Sardino and their written work Eye On Narratio.
Dear Future Me by Isho Adan
Writing became a constant for Isho and not only enabled her to translate other’s negativities into self-empowerment, it also allowed her to reflect on all of the other positive aspects of her life. Writing opened Isho’s eyes to the way storytelling can turn close-mindedness into connection. Through thoughtful storytelling “you get to learn about other people’s experiences and connect with them.” She has used these lessons to work towards forging connections; even with those who have bullied her.
I am a work of art by Hawa Ahmed (1/2)
Hawa spends much of her time advocating for the different communities she is a part of and sees storytelling as a medium with which to continue community advocacy as well as self-advocacy. When Hawa writes a story or choreographs a dance, she feels like she is telling the world “this is who I am, and I want share this with you.” Storytelling through art represents a place of self-expression for Hawa.
By advocating for herself through storytelling, Hawa hopes she also empowers others to do the same. By sharing her own experiences Hawa hopes she can show others the importance of self-expression and enable others to share their stories.
Memories (2/2)
““This program is the place where you get your voice.””
My Daily Routine by Rayan Mohamed
Rayan wants her stories to make people reimagine, not only the world we live in, but also our expectations of storytelling. As a young Muslim girl, Rayan felt as though her experience was nonexistent in mainstream media, especially when it came to films. When watching movies on US television or in theatres, Rayan was always left questioning, “What about us?” Time and time again, she felt as though her stories and the stories of other Muslim women were missing or actively silenced.
She wants to redefine who filmmakers are and what stories they are expected to tell. It is equally important that Rayan’s films empower Muslim women to be unapologetically themselves and feel empowered to share their stories.
For Rayan, storytelling is a place where she can begin to process her past while also working and projecting towards a better future.
“From the beginning I knew I wanted to use nature because I’ve always loved nature and the environment. Even with my artwork, I always paint flowers or draw things with nature.
”
Shine Bright by Hibatullah Shaalan
Storytelling through art presents a way for Hiba to explore the intersections of all of her interests. Through art, Hiba has been able to examine the ways the environment, advocacy and humanity are interrelated. Hiba’s personal reflections have given her a greater understanding of the connections that exist between subjects that may seem completely disjointed. Hiba has discovered how the natural environment can serve as an expression of self-love. Hiba hopes to show others how interconnected we all are. For Hiba, filmmaking is the perfect medium to accomplish this.
In her own words, through filmmaking “you get to visualize the story, you get to hear the story and you get to imagine the story.” By using filmmaking Hiba hopes that she can immerse the audience in an experience that takes seemingly separate topics-like mathematics, social justice and art- and demonstrate just how connected they (and we) all are.
Finding My Place by Aman Yohannes
Aman sees storytelling as a way to learn from and educate others. Storytelling has taught Aman a lot about the experiences of others who have emigrated from the United States. Through recognizing the potential to learn from other’s stories, Aman says storytelling has benefited many aspects of his life, including his pursuit of becoming an engineer. Aman also sees storytelling as a way to teach others about his experiences in Eritrea and Ethiopia and coming to the United States. Aman says he hopes by sharing his story he “can tell others how he survived and help them come out better than he did.”
Specifically, Aman hopes he can help the refugee community in Syracuse, NY and advocate for them. As someone who only came to the United States two years ago, Aman is quite aware of the barriers many new US refugees face. Through sharing his experiences, Aman hopes that he can bring attention to those obstacles and offer inspirations to those that are struggling.
“It’s better to share my story, because if I share my story, it’s going to help some people.
”
Behind the People We Meet in Life by Falonne “Abigail” Nganga
[Abigail] sees stories as a means of bringing people together and a source of education. Abigail hopes that by sharing her own stories she is able to remind others that even during times when they may feel completely alone: they are not. Abigail also hopes that her stories educate others about what it means to be a refugee. She hopes that by sharing a small piece of her journey, she can show that being a refugee is more than a label. For each refugee, “there is a huge story behind their journey”.
For Abigail, storytelling has been a place of community and allows her to show others that they are never alone.
Ahmed Badr, Founder & Executive Director, Narratio; Co-director, Narratio Fellowship
Brice Nordquist, Co-director, Narratio Fellowship; Dean’s Professor of Community Engagement, Syracuse University
Edward Grattan, Managing Director, Narratio
Gemma Cooper-Novack, Writer, Poet, Fellowship Program Coordinator, Syracuse University
Maggie Sardino, Co-facilitator, Syracuse University
Adiba Alam, Co-facilitator, Syracuse University
Mark Cass, Executive Director, North Side Learning Center
Kofi Addai, Associate Director, North Side Learning Center
Khadija Mohamed, Facilitator, 2019 Fellow
Ibraheem Abdi, Facilitator, 2019 Fellow
Nidaa Aljabbarin, Facilitator, 2019 Fellow
Fidaa Aljabbarin, Facilitator, 2019 Fellow
Abshir Habseme, Facilitator, 2019 Fellow
