Poor Film – The Voice of Independent Cinema in Syria
Poor Film is an independent cinema project founded in Damascus in 2013, aimed at creating a free and independent environment that contributes to the development of Syrian cinema and supports productions that highlight neglected social issues. Through this project, I believed that film is not only a visual art but also a powerful means of human communication and a space to express diversity, similarity, and differences among people. The project also stands firmly for everyone’s right to access knowledge and information without discrimination. Poor Film targets the Arab community interested in independent cinema and helps develop its artistic identity by supporting innovative and non-traditional projects.
My passion for cinema began early, when I volunteered at the Tartous Cinema Club at age 15 — an independent cinema club established in 1982 — and later became a member of its board. In 2006, I moved to Damascus to study Political Science, but my love for cinema led me to work as an assistant director with Syrian and international filmmakers, marking the start of my professional filmmaking journey.
I founded Poor Film in 2013 and managed it until 2020, developing its administrative and creative structure. I served as the project director and creative director for its social media content.