SAFAR Film Festival presents a unique opportunity to dive into the world of Arab stardom and develop a creative video essay with Cairo-based artist Bahia Shehab.
Arab cinema is often discussed in terms of political representation and independent art film, but rarely in terms of stardom, glamour, performance or masquerade. Aside from a few individual studies on female stardom or aspects of Arab masculinity, no major English-language study on Arab stardom exists, and collections on transnational stars or world cinema also often neglect to include Arab performers.
Transnational Arab Stardom – a book edited by Dr Stefanie Van de Peer and Dr Kaya Davies Hayon and featuring designs curated by Bahia Shehab – is the first study dedicated entirely to stardom on the Arab screen. From Umm Kulthum and Asmahan, to Omar Sharif and Elia Suleiman, it shines a spotlight on some of the Arab world’s most legendary stars.
This intensive workshop invites you to engage with these stars’ legacies through personal and creative video reflections on a star of your choice.
What?
This 5-day intensive workshop explores the history of Arab stardom through video-editing and archival research. After reading a chapter from the book Transnational Arab Stardom, you will be asked to work individually, in pairs or in groups, to create a short video response to the star and their critical reception.
Under the guidance of Bahia, Kaya and Stefanie, you will learn how to visualise the materials creatively by editing a short digital video, focusing on key production skills including storyboarding, editing, transitions and sound. Upon completion, all participants will showcase their films at the SAFAR Film Festival to a public audience. An Audience Prize will be awarded to the Best Film in show!
This workshop will also include the opportunity to visit the British Library for an archive viewing session exploring film posters, lobbycards and newspaper articles related to Arab stardom.
When?
The workshop will run from Monday 9 June – Friday 13 June at SOAS University of London (Russell Square, WC1H 0XG) and at the Arab British Centre (Gough Square, EC4A 3DE). The sessions will take place from 10am – 4pm every day except Tuesday: on Tuesday 10 June we will start at 12pm at ABC, and visit the British Library’s film archive between 3.30pm – 6.30pm.
The films will be showcased at The Garden Cinema in Holborn on Sunday 15 June.
Where?
The workshops will be held at the following locations:
- Monday 9 June: SOAS, University of London, Brunei Building, Russell Square
- Tuesday 10 June: Arab British Centre, 1 Gough Square + British Library
- Wednesday 11 June: Arab British Centre, 1 Gough Square
- Thursday 12 June: Arab British Centre, 1 Gough Square
- Friday 13 June: SOAS, University of London, Brunei Building, Russell Square
- Sunday 15 June: Garden Cinema in Holborn
Please note, The Arab British Centre is not fully accessible. If you have specific access needs or any questions about this, please reach out on becky@arabbritishcentre.org.uk
With thanks to the SOAS Practice Research Network for their generous support.
Who?
This workshop will be run by the Cairo-based artist Bahia Shehab in collaboration with Dr Stefanie Van de Peer and Dr Kaya Davies Hayon, experts in Arab cinema.
Shehab is a multidisciplinary artist, designer, political activist and historian whose work focuses on the interaction and intersection of modern identity and ancient cultural heritage. Having always been concerned with identity and preserving cultural heritage, Shehab investigates art history to reinterpret contemporary Arab politics, feminist discourse and social issues. Her culturally oriented work enables her to use history as a means to better understand the present and propose solutions for the future. Her work has been exhibited globally and she has received several awards and recognition for her achievements.
Stefanie Van de Peer is Reader in Film and Media at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. Her research centres around feminist film cultures around the globe, with a specific interest in Arab and African film history.
Kaya Davies Hayon is a Lecturer in Film & Media at the Open University. Her research examines the intersections of gender, ethnicity and sexuality in contemporary Arab film and visual cultures.
SAFAR Film Festival is the UK’s leading platform for independent Arab cinema. Founded in 2012 by the Arab British Centre, 2025 sees the festival mark its 10th edition with screenings in 10 cities across the UK from 11-28 June, plus a free online programme throughout the month of June. Find out more on www.safarfilmfestival.co.uk or @safarfilmfestival
Key Requirements
This workshop requires you to possess working knowledge of any film editing software. Equipment is not provided so please bring your own phone or camera and laptop with editing software – any free editing package is fine. If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Arab British Centre and we will be able to advise.
How to apply
The workshop is open to anyone interested in the history of Arab cinema and stardom with a background in any art-related field, film studies, art, curation, anthropology, political science, cultural studies, and history of the Arab world. Some competency with editing software is required and understanding of Arabic is a plus but not essential.
To apply, send an expression of interest to becky@arabbritishcentre.org.uk by Friday 23 May 2025, 3pm. Please include a 2-page CV and a portfolio (Youtube, Dropbox or Vimeo-link to one or two examples of previous work). This is a competitive call. There are 15 places available. You will be selected based on your CV and the quality of your portfolio.
Costs
A workshop fee of £50 (£10 per day) will be charged to all selected participants.
Two bursary places will be available to support unwaged participants or those who might typically be excluded from these spaces. Please indicate in your application whether and why you would like to be considered for this bursary.