Crafting Authentic Narratives

The Heartbeat of Every Filmmaker’s Journey

Growing up in Sudan, I never saw stories that represented me or the youth in everyday media. TV was telling stories and showing news from and to the old generation, and no one was telling the stories that mattered to me and the people my age. This gap in representation made me start to think of other ways to represent my voice and my experiences.

It was during this search for representation that I turned to YouTube. Watching people my age speak about issues impacting their communities and peers inspired me profoundly. Seeing these relatable content creators discuss their lives, challenges, and triumphs was a revelation. This inspiration drove me to start my own YouTube channel 10 years ago. Many of those videos that entertained me became the foundation for my own content, which has since entertained millions of people across the world.

Throughout my YouTube career, I have strived to speak for my people and my peers about the issues that matter to us. I have showcased my generation’s talents and our strong will to express our voices. Staying true to where I came from, I have kept my content in the same Sudanese language I grew up speaking, while incorporating slang and words that resonate with me and my generation to keep it real and authentic.

The question I get asked the most is: “Where do I start?” The answer is: right here and right now. You start with the things that inspire you, the things you face and see daily. Your life is the greatest inspiration, so start telling your story and the stories you see that no one else is speaking about. Even if someone else is telling the same stories, your voice is unique and those stories need to be told from your own unique point of view.

Your voice is unique; no one can tell the stories you can. So start creating, and make something happen.

Now get out there and start creating!