June 3rd - Animation as a Voice for Sudan: A Story of Disruption and Resilience

Inspiration often comes from unexpected places. For me, it emerged from a deeply personal and harrowing second hand experience. In June 2019, Sudan was in the throes of a military coup that disrupted countless lives, including that of a close friend who was visiting family there.

As protests erupted and chaos ensued, my friend found themselves caught in the turmoil. The government shut down the internet, silencing many voices and preventing footage from escaping the country. Despite this, my friend’s family managed to send crucial footage to me once they had left Sudan—a raw, unfiltered glimpse of the events on the ground.

My friend eventually escaped to a neighboring country, but by then, the situation had escalated, and the internet blackout made it difficult for the world to understand what was happening in Sudan. This inspired me to create an animation to share the story my friend had witnessed and to give a voice to the silenced people of Sudan.

The footage I received was raw but vital—it documented a nation in crisis, with ordinary people fighting for change and freedom. Simply showing the footage wasn’t enough; I wanted to tell this story in a way that was meaningful and respectful of Sudan's culture and history.

Using culturally relevant symbolism, I crafted an animation that allowed the footage to shine while adding layers of meaning. The images of protests, military presence, and uncertainty were brought to life with a visual language that resonated with Sudan’s long history of struggle and resilience.

The animation blended fact and emotion, driven by the visuals my friend’s family had captured and my desire to highlight the human stories behind the headlines. It was a way to keep the story alive in a world that was trying to silence it.

To my surprise, the animation resonated not only with those familiar with Sudan’s history but also with people worldwide. It won several awards at film festivals that year, reminding me of the power of storytelling in amplifying silenced voices.

This experience reinforced why I create art—to speak for those without a platform, to tell stories that need to be heard, and to create something that resonates on a human level. The story of Sudan, its disruption, and the resilience of its people remains with me, and I’m proud that my animation could contribute in some small way to sharing it with the world.

2020 Laurels June 3rd

2020 Laurels June 3rd

2020 Laurels June 3rd

2020 Laurels June 3rd