Challenge

A long history of colonization and autocracy leave Egypt a nation that, despite being rich culturally and ethnically, is one that functions on divisions and hierarchies. The idea of diversity in a group or a team is as foreign as sushi, and unique expression is often seen as divergence, making collective progress held back, and potential unexplored.

Solution

Build connections amongst conflicting groups in order to promote diversity of background and thought, resulting in a creative group project.

Wael is the founder of Middle West Films, a multimedia production agency which produces content ranging from theatrically released feature films, broadcaster commissioned feature documentaries, TV commercials, corporate and organizational video brochures, and branded content. In the last three years, he has worked extensively for the UN FAO and UN IDO in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Gabon, and Cameroon.

When he’s not behind the camera, he spends part of the year as the director of Shnit Cairo Playground, which is the Cairo chapter of the Shnit International short film festival taking place in nine cities around the globe simultaneously, sharing content and experiences. In 2018, he initiated the Storylab project and launched Kidsflix, an afterschool filmmaking program in Cairo for kids ages eight to 13.