By Seth Onyango
The mild winter chill still lingers over Cairo as the sun casts a soft, honeyed glow over the city, warming the streets where life is already stirring in anticipation of Ramadan. The scent of freshly baked bread drifts from bakeries, shopkeepers set out their finest goods, and conversations bubble with excitement over the upcoming month of fasting, reflection, and togetherness.
But anticipation isn’t just for Ramadan—it’s also for a flood of new TV series with their dramatic storylines and larger-than-life characters. Advertisements have also been popping up on billboards everywhere, teasing the biggest releases of the season. For Egyptian filmmaker Hayat Aljowaily, it is the perfect moment to talk about why stories matter.
Aljowaily has always believed in the power of film to shift perspectives. “I realised quite early on that it can be quite difficult to argue with someone intellectually,” she said. “But if you tell them a story—whether that’s through music, film, or a short story—because they will start feeling a certain way, you’re more likely to actually change their mind.”
Born in Egypt but raised across three continents, Aljowaily’s identity was shaped by movement. She lived between Egypt, the United States, and Switzerland, growing up attuned to what it means to belong and, at times, not belong. That experience fuelled her interest in politics, sociology, and the arts, eventually earning a Bachelor in Social Sciences from Sciences Po in France and a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Studies from Columbia University.
Her thesis film, “Maybe Next Time,” garnered international attention, screening at over ten festivals and winning the Audience Award at the Tripoli Online Film Festival in Lebanon. This early success paved the way for her role as a director’s assistant to Mohamed Diab on Marvel Studios’ “Moon Knight,” showcasing her versatility in both independent and mainstream cinema.
But filmmaking was never just about the craft for her. It was about impact. Her belief in storytelling as a force for change has defined her career. She started as a producer, determined to get stories from the Global South onto the world stage. “There are so many talented writers and directors whose voices aren’t being heard,” she said.
As a producer, she sought out scripts from the Global South that weren’t getting the attention they deserved. She worked tirelessly to secure funding for underrepresented filmmakers but then realised that getting films made was only half the battle. “If major festivals aren’t accepting younger talents, then we haven’t really made much advancement.”
From that realisation, Kalam Aflam was born, an organisation designed to give young and emerging artists from North Africa and the Arab world a platform to be seen and heard.
Kalam Aflam is a celebration of storytelling in all its forms. “We organise events curated around themes that are pertinent to youth from the region,” Hayat explained. “We invite different artists—short filmmakers, musicians, chefs, fashion designers—to be a part of these events, exposing them to new audiences.”
But beyond exposure, the organization fosters connection. “The idea is really to focus on community building,” she said. “It’s not just about bringing artists to an audience, but bringing the audience closer to each other.”
This commitment to storytelling as a bridge between cultures has shaped her work beyond Kalam Aflam.
Aljowaily has collaborated with Crtve Development, an initiative focused on reshaping the narrative around Africa, particularly in the realm of climate justice. Her role was unexpected but fitting. “One day, I just got an email from Dr. Okito Wedi, the CEO, saying, ‘Hey, we’ve seen your work. You’re one of the few people we’ve seen working at the intersection of culture and climate change, and we want you on board.’”
For Aljowaily, the invitation was proof of how crucial the intersection of art and activism can be. “At a certain point, I realised that if I really wanted to make a change, I had to look for openings—where do I see a chance right now to make sure that stories that usually wouldn’t be heard actually get heard?”
This drive to uplift young creatives is what she considers her proudest achievement. “Something that really sets apart Africa in general and North Africa in particular is that there are just so many young people. And so many of them are incredibly talented, but they don’t have the support systems they need to get to the next step in their careers.” Through Kalam Aflam and her broader work in film, she is trying to change that.
While its roots are in North Africa, including Sudan, Aljowaily makes clear the doors at Kalam Aflam are wide open to creatives from across the continent, ensuring that fresh voices, wherever they emerge, find a space to be seen and heard.
In a way, her work mirrors the very energy of Cairo in February—a city on the verge of something bigger, where creativity is bubbling under the surface, ready to emerge.
As the streets of Cairo prepare for a season of storytelling through the country’s most beloved Ramadan dramas, Hayat is working to ensure that new voices—voices from the margins, voices that challenge, voices that inspire—are part of the narrative.
Just as Ramadan unites people in shared experience, Hayat’s efforts aim to bring young artists together, creating a space where their stories can find not only an audience but also a community.
“Film and the arts are vessels,” she said. “They help us understand the world, challenge what’s wrong, and imagine what could be.” And for her, that is a story worth telling.
bird story agency
Egyptian filmmaker Hayat Aljowaily leverages storytelling as a powerful tool for cultural change, aiming to shift perspectives and amplify underrepresented voices. Growing up across continents sparked her early interest in politics, sociology, and the arts. Her thesis film, "Maybe Next Time," drew international acclaim, propelling her into roles that mix independent and mainstream cinema, including a position as a director's assistant on Marvel Studios' "Moon Knight."
Through her organization, Kalam Aflam, Aljowaily provides a platform for emerging artists from North Africa and the broader Arab world, fostering community connections and ensuring their stories are heard. Aljowaily also collaborates with initiatives like Crtve Development to promote African narratives, especially around climate justice. This focus stems from her belief in storytelling as a bridge between cultures and an essential tool in activism, creating opportunities for young, talented creatives to advance their careers. Her work is likened to the energy of Cairo during Ramadan, a time teaming with cultural storytelling, where new and inspiring voices find their place in the narratives.
