The ongoing war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, now entering its third year, has cast a heavy shadow over the film production sector. The presence of directors and producers on the ground has significantly declined, with few new productions emerging—limited mainly to individual efforts.
Despite the renaissance Sudanese filmmakers experienced in the four years following the December 2018 uprising that ousted Omar al-Bashir’s regime in April 2019, the armed conflict has imposed a new reality on the arts, marked by the cessation of activities and events. This has caused immense pressure and hardship for most creatives, many of whom are now displaced or refugees inside and outside the country.
Severe Damage
In this regard, producer and director Yasser Faiz stated, “The war has disrupted the possibility of executing many feature films, as such projects require a certain level of security and guarantees for filming. In my opinion, this is difficult under the current circumstances, even in cities not directly affected by the fighting, especially since the situation is unstable and unpredictable.”
Regarding documentary films, Faiz noted that “some can still be shot despite the country’s current conditions, as this genre sometimes factors risk into its production planning.”
The producer and director added that “there are other factors that have harmed film production in Sudan. Firstly, the war discourages investors from funding projects due to security concerns. Additionally, the already small number of skilled technicians and film professionals in Sudan have emigrated in search of opportunities after losing their jobs, and it’s uncertain whether they will return even if the conflict ends. The third issue is the disruption of efforts to reopen and invest in cinema theaters across the country.”
As for solutions and alternatives, Faiz proposed “shooting feature films in alternative locations that resemble the Sudanese environment, in hopes of eventual stability in some
