Who Gets to Tell Women’s Stories and How Context Shapes the Story
FREE FOR MEMBERS
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Level:
Beginner - No previous experience required
Must be at least 15 years old
Language:
The seminar will be in English
Dates:
Fri. May 29th – 17:00 – 19:00
Cost:
Free for Members - Join to attend
Location:
Online - Details will be sent to registered members
Contact:
Yousrayousri87@gmail.com
Verein Membership & Discount
By registering to become a BFC Verein Member you get free access to this seminar as well as all other member-only seminars. A 1 year membership into the Berlin Film Community's Verein (Officially recognized Non-Profit Association) costs €30 for one year, and gets you an instant 10% off of all workshops. Plus, being a member gets you many other benefits, such as free seminars like this one, access to filmmaking equipment for free, rental discounts at 25p and more!
seminar Info
In this 2-hour seminar, we will explore how women’s stories in documentaries are shaped not only by the filmmaker, but by access, context, power, and perspective. Drawing from experiences working in Yemen, war zones and filming women’s lives in intimate and often restricted environments, this session examines how narrative choices are influenced by who is behind the camera—and who is not.
We will question dominant portrayals of women as victims or symbols, and instead look at how storytelling can reveal complexity, slowness, and everyday life, especially in voices that are often overlooked, such as older women. Through practical reflections on fieldwork, ethics, and representation, the seminar invites participants to rethink authorship, challenge assumptions, and consider the responsibilities involved in shaping real lives into film.
Workshop mentor
Yousra Ishaq is a producer, project manager, documentary practitioner, and emerging director with over 12 years of experience in journalism and film production. As co-founder of Comra Films, Yemen’s leading film production organization, she has contributed to a wide range of documentary and journalism projects.
She is also co-founder of Yemen Art Base, a cultural organization supporting Yemeni artists through training, mentorship, and exhibitions, fostering opportunities for local and international visibility.
Yousra designed and leads Her Lens: Resilience and Reflection (2025–2026), a regional initiative supporting women documentary photographers across the MENA region. She oversees partnerships, project development, and editorial direction, contributing to amplifying women’s voices through visual storytelling. The project is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.
She has trained and mentored emerging filmmakers, particularly young women, overseeing the production of a number of short documentaries and providing one-on-one guidance in story development. She also works in writing and concept development.
Born in Saudi Arabia and raised between Yemen and Egypt, she brings a strong cross-cultural perspective and deep understanding of the region.
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