Artists have restless minds.

For many of us, its not enough for us to

know what goes on behind the scenes of a film, but also what it
arouses in the audience. The fear of not having our vision received
the way wed like stops many of us from continuing, or worse, even
beginning our []

Idil Ibrahim, photo by Annie Escobar

Artists have restless minds. For many of us, its not enough for us to know
what goes on behind the scenes of a film, but also what it arouses in the
audience. The fear of not having our vision received the way wed like
stops many of us from continuing, or worse, even beginning our creative
projects. Yet, when you know that your creative vision serves a larger
purposeperhaps, to heal, to unite, to educateits easier to move past
that doubt. I think Idil Ibrahims commitment to telling stories with these
intentions has been key to her success as a filmmaker.

A member of New Yorks tight-knit independent film community, Idil

followed her passion to start her own production company, Zeila Films.
The daughter of Somali Parents, raised in the United States, and having
known many communities across the country and abroad, it became
important for her to, as she says: bridge cultures, communities and
perspectives through art. As executive of her own company and a
contributor toDouble 7 Images, while still working on local and
international creative projects, Idil shows me that if your problem is too
many creative ideas, you dont have a problem, you have a gift; and it
really is worth sharing with the world. Here, Idil discusses what makes film
so powerful, contemporary challenges facing Somalia and how art and the
Diaspora can help.

What drew you to film-making?

I was always interested in film and television as a means of
communication by sharing things like ideas, information and experience.
However, I fell in love with film while I was an undergraduate student at
the University of California, Berkeley. I was inspired to be a filmmaker after
taking a class with my professor, the late Loni Ding, who was an amazing
Chinese-American documentary filmmaker based in the Bay Area. Loni
taught us production but also analysis and I devoted all my time to the
creative process. Soon, I realized that I was spending more hours working
on my film classes than the rest of my academic coursework. It didnt take
long for me to realize that this is what I wanted to do in life.
What is special about what film can express?
I find film special because of how enchanted I become when I watch an
amazing film and I would love to be able to have the same effect on
others. I appreciate the way film transports viewers into another time and
place. I love that film can educate, entertain, inform and potentially
change the way people interact with reality. All art forms are powerful
tools of expression with the capacity to connect and reach others.
Idil Ibrahim, Dadaab Kenya, photo by Brenda Phillips

Would you say your heritage inspires your work and what you
hope your viewers will take away?
The name of our production company comes from Zeila (Saylac), a city of
antiquity, is surrounded by the sea on three sides and served as a center
for trade, intercultural exchange and the sharing of ideas for many
civilizations. My parents are Somali and I grew up in the States in
incredibly diverse areas so I had a multicultural upbringing. I have
wanderlust and love meeting new people and connecting with others
which is always expanding and reshaping my personal views and life
outlook. I value difference but try to find points of connection between
people and places, so I approach my work as such, with an international
approach focusing on personal stories, fiction and narrative, that
resonates with others.
What do you think are the greatest challenges facing Somalia?
What are the mis-perceptions?

I think many people want to write

Somalia off as a failed state, full of conflict, humanitarian disasters and
disease. Somalia and Somalis worldwide have immense obstacles to
overcome, but I believe that Somalia has potential. There are so many
individuals within the country and abroad working day and night to
change their current reality for the better.
There are many pressing issues in addition to the famine, such as the
ongoing conflict and political instability, the threat of extremism, and so
on, but I believe in our global society we must remain as engaged and
emotionally invested in Somalia as we are in other places. My vision for a
healed Somalia would be a place free from conflict and oppression and an
end to the cycle of violence that persists in many parts of the country.

How do you think art helps?

Art is a form of expression and it is quite subjective and personal.
Applying art to conflict and post conflict settings can help serve as a tool
for dialogue, expression, awareness building and hopefully healing and
peace-building.

As you know, our organization aims to unite women across Africa

and the African Diaspora. How do you think people from across
the Diaspora can get involved in helping Somalia?

I believe it is always important for

individuals to foster ties with others regardless of background or location.
There are many ways people from all backgrounds, Somalis within
Somalia, and members of the Diaspora can get involved. The situation in
Somalia is complex, so its important to understand the context
and then find ways to engage, but any step made as an attempt to ease
human suffering is crucial. Somalis are resilient and despite the ongoing
conflict and humanitarian crisis there are numerous individuals forging
forward with life and working towards the betterment of society.
Finally, what does living unchained mean to you?
The term living unchained symbolizes my personal effort to live free
free from social expectations and conditioning. It reminds me to embrace
similarities among people as opposed to focusing on difference, and
encourages me to be true to myself, living with integrity and remaining
passionate about life and work.

I love Mahatma Gandhis quote Be the change you wish to see in the
world. I know that may come across as really clich, but I honestly strive
to live my life as the quote suggests.

Source: live unchained