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MEET SARA ELGAMAL

Click above to watch our interview with Sara Elgamal.

ABOUt SARA ELGAMAL

Sara’s global approach to filmmaking is embedded in her practise. Known to produce compelling and high quality visuals, she is driven by the desire for her work to be a catalyst of change. Her films tell human stories, provoke thought and offer audiences new and refreshing perspectives. 

The award-winning director’s educational background in broadcast journalism and political science in addition to her credentials as a producer have been foundational in informing how she engages with her subjects and subject matter. Cultivating an environment that prioritizes comfort and care for both cast and crew, her work has taken her to Cuba, Dubai, Morocco, Japan, the UK crafting documentary, branded content, music videos and short films. 

Sara’s A Piece of Me has been a career milestone. The UNFPA-commissioned series of shorts shot in Ethiopia focused on hightening awareness of female genital mutilation and empowering its survivors. The intimate portraits within A Piece of Me afforded Sara to win a 2020 Shorty Award for ‘Best Global Campaign’, a 2020 Webby Award for ‘Best Use of Video or Moving Image’ and an invitation to be creative director for an immersive exhibition at the UN Headquarters in New York.

An extension of her commitment to community, Sara has led film and storytelling workshops with creative youth programs at The Remix Project and NIA Centre. She does more community work through her co-founded initiative Hire Higher which aims to connect racialized talent with the commercial production industry through outreach, education, advocacy, and mentorship. 

ABOUT WILLIE DUNN

William "Willie" Dunn was a Montreal-born singer-songwriter, film director and politician, who drew on his Mi’kmaq/Scottish heritage to craft protest songs about the Indigenous experience. Dunn’s 10-minute film for The Ballad of Crowfoot is often cited as “the first Canadian music video.”

ABOUt THE WILLIE DUNN AWARD

SUPPORTED BY TELEFILM CANADA

The Willie Dunn Award is presented to a Canadian trailblazer who has demonstrated excellence within the music, music video and/or film production communities. The recipient is asked to select an emerging Canadian creative who's work will be spotlighted during the Prism Prize presentation. Both recipient and the selected creator will receive cash honourariums of $2500.00.

2023 RECIPIENT - Sara Elgamal / Roya DelSol
2022 RECIPIENT - Mustafa / Puffy L’z
2021 RECIPIENTS - Leanne Betasamosake Simpson / Beatrice Deer
2020 RECIPIENTS - LaurieAnn Gibson / Noor Khan

ABOUT CO-RECIPIENT
ROYA DELSOL

Roya DelSol is a Black lens-based artist currently living in T’karonto. Having directed music videos, live performance series, music documentary content and experimental documentaries; she aims for her work, in all spheres, to centre and uplift the experiences of Black, queer, and marginalized peoples.

As a self-taught artist who has mainly found her grounding through community arts, she strongly believes in the power of the arts to create third spaces that foster community and connection. She deeply values mentorship, is a strong advocate for the necessity of community arts funding and supports, and is committed to her projects being not only visual-striking work but also spaces where creators can engage in open dialogue and play.