‘I was just a youthful Egyptian woman from Scarborough with a lot of coronary heart and courage’

Sara Elgamal, 34, is fully commited to producing a shared human encounter via her camera lens.

Born in Toronto to an Egyptian loved ones, the director and producer studied political science and broadcast journalism. She started her profession in promotion before slipping in appreciate with film.

“Growing up, I was tremendous passionate about earth relations and human challenges,” reported Elgamal. “I desired to help save the earth and I felt compelled to share stories that I felt ended up overlooked.”

Elgamal is obtaining a Specific Award at the ceremony for the 2023 Prism Prize, The Willie Dunn Award, which is introduced to a Canadian trailblazer who has shown excellence in just the new music, new music video clip and/or film output communities.

By means of her corporation, Sarathecamel Productions Ltd. (an ode to her very last identify, which virtually translates to “the camel”), Elgamal has worked on audio videos for common Toronto artists like Mustafa the Poet and Savannah Ré, as properly as campaigns for manufacturers these types of as Nike, Adidas and Knix.

“It feels definitely affirming,” she mentioned. “I look again on the past 10 many years and it’s like wow, I seriously did all that? I was just a young Egyptian lady from Scarborough with a large amount of coronary heart and courage who decided to travel the environment and follow my desires.”

An avid traveller with an eye for a tale, Elgamal has been on assignments in Cuba, Dubai, Morocco, Japan and the U.K., wherever she lived for three yrs freelancing as a producer of documentaries, shorter films and new music video clips.

“I like to consider of myself as a world wide citizen,” she mentioned. “Travel is my most significant inspiration and becoming able to join with human beings all around the environment is a little something that evokes me a lot more than something.”

She said her most memorable challenge is “A Piece of Me,” a multimedia show, structured by the United Nations, that brought recognition to the challenges and extended-expression difficulties of feminine genital mutilation in Ethiopia, a observe that influences extra than 65 for every cent of ladies and women in the country.

“My intent with my artwork is to showcase the beauty in humanity,” explained Elgamal.

Right here, she shares her latest cultural obsessions.

Favorite music video clip: “‘Until the Peaceful Comes’ by Traveling Lotus, by a person of my favorite directors, Kahlil Joseph.”

Previous excellent ebook you study: “I just concluded an remarkable ebook which I consider I’ll remember for good: ‘If an Egyptian Can not Discuss English’ by Noor Naga. It’s so amazing, interesting and does not abide by any guidelines.”

Playlist essentials: “I are likely to go with funk, dwelling and Bossa nova. I’m presently listening to a funk dance band identified as Social Lovers. They make truly enjoyment summer time tunes.”

Simply cannot-overlook Television set demonstrate: “I definitely enjoyed ‘Love & Demise.’ I considered it was quintessential drama and I appreciate drama!”

A motion picture you can’t get adequate of: “‘Home Alone 2: Misplaced in New York.’ It kick-started out my dreams to travel and be lost in the earth. It is the only movie I’ll look at over and above all over again.”

Correction — June 20, 2023: This post was current to suitable that Sara Elgamal been given The Willie Dunn Award, not a specific achievement award. As nicely, she co-generated a new music movie for Toronto artist Mustafa. She did not direct it.

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