An Introduction, by David Rocchio

As I write this I am leaving Dublin after a wonderful experience at the Galway Film Fleadh and Film Market. We delivered a two-day workshop, Facing In/Facing Out: A Development Workshop for Screenwriters – to give screenwriters ideas both to help them develop scripts and then to take the stories out in the industry. I also was a judge on the Wild Atlantic Pitching Competition at the Market, which was a joy. The energy in the room and the power of the stories being pitched was fantastic.

Being at the Fleadh this summer was poignantly powerful for a third reason. The Fleadh’s country of focus in 2024 was Palestine, and I had the great privilege to interview Farah Nabulsi, a Palestine British Oscar nominated and BAFTA award-winning filmmaker and human rights advocate, during the Workshop we ran. Farah and I talked both about her work and her approach to storytelling.

*Ahmad Saleh. Photographed by* Neha Goyal.

Farah’s work brings you into the world of ordinary people in Palestine – focusing very much on families and the struggle to raise children in a conflict-ridden place – and creates a chance to build empathy and understanding rather than fanning the flames of conflict. The perspective Farah brings to her work is positive, directed, and clear.

Building off the Fleadh’s focus on the country of Palestine and in the spirit of generating understanding, I have also had the privilege to interview a friend and filmmaker, Ahmad Saleh. Ahmad is a Palestinian filmmaker based in Jordan. Years ago, we both had short films in the Capalbio International Short Film Festival. Ahmad’s film, HOUSE, stuck with me over the years for three reasons. First, it is a wonderful example of using stop-action animation to create an environment for storytelling that is accessible and gentle. Second, the story it tells in three minutes is powerful and complete. Third, it offers a perspective that can help lead to understanding.

I interviewed Ahmad about his three short films, HOUSE, AYNY (MY SECOND EYE), and NIGHT. The interview grants access to these three films, and gave Ahmad an opportunity to share his perspective on the world he writes about, how he uses story to generate understanding, and his decision to use clay figure stop-motion animation in his work.

This interview opens a new series we will run called Perspectives. The next installment will be with writer/director Ellie Foumbi, whose debut feature OUR FATHER, THE DEVIL, is completing its remarkable festival run and will soon be in theaters.

I hope you enjoy the interview with Ahmad, and in the spirit of the Galway Film Fleadh and the filmmakers interviewed, I hope the talk helps bring fresh perspectives and understanding to a complicated and divided world.

You can watch the interview and access Ahmad’s films here.

Thank you,

David Rocchio

Links to Ahmad Saleh’s Films:

HOUSE – https://vimeo.com/31055786
Password: baytfilm

AYNY— https://vimeo.com/video/207084255
Password: the2ndeye

NIGHT – https://vimeo.com/video/518520055
Password: Night_Debut21!!

Perspectives: An Interview with Filmmaker Ahmad Saleh

An Introduction, by David Rocchio

Perspectives: An Interview with Filmmaker Ellie Foumbi