SAHARA FILM FESTIVAL / Creative, Art Direction and Design
FiSahara (Western Sahara International Film Festival) is an annual human rights film and cultural festival celebrated in the Dakhla refugee camp. It is one of the world’s most remote film festivals, bringing together the Sahrawi population with international filmmakers and other visitors.
Created in 2003, FiSahara is a joint initiative conceived by the Sahrawi refugee community, the Spanish solidarity movement and Spanish filmmakers. It has since become an international collaborative effort, drawing partners, volunteers and participants from many countries. FiSahara is a member of the Human Rights Film Network and of the Video4Change Network created by WITNESS.
FiSahara asked to build their public image by branding the festival in connection with the Saharawi community; giving not only the festival but a whole human rights issue an identity, campaign and experience that could build a reputation as a solution to a problem between the Sahara’s biggest nations and capture the interest of the international public.
Sahrawis are struggling to preserve their rich cultural identity, a key to their survival as a people. Through its filmmaking workshops and school, FiSahara provides audiovisual tools to help preserve and showcase Sahrawi identity. Sahrawi-made films are screened at the festival to a local and international audience.
FiSahara has brought film and filmmaking to the Sahrawi refugee community, introducing it as a new art and as an effective tool for entertainment, empowerment and social change.