JRMC Student Film Wins First Place

The students produced the film last spring as part of the Camera and Editing course taught by Mohammad Badawi, adjunct faculty and senior technical supervisor in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. 

"I am truly delighted by the results," said Badawi. "It brings me immense joy to see my students' work recognized in prestigious festivals. While I provided them with the tools to create films, it's their creative minds, passion and dedicated efforts that were the driving force behind their success."

The film showcases life on an Egyptian farm, highlighting "In a creatively executed back-and-forth interview while in action style," as Badawi put it, how farmers endure extreme challenges and hardships. "Drama and journalism intersect within the framework of serialism," explained Badawi.

"I learned that leaving your comfort zone can sometimes open up new opportunities and experiences."

For the students, the experience was transformative. 

"I learned that leaving your comfort zone can sometimes open up new opportunities and experiences," said Toutounji, an integrated marketing communication major. "At first, when we were brainstorming ideas for the documentary, I remember thinking this would be very tough and executing it well would take a lot of effort. But when we went [to film], everything came together."

Echoing the same sentiment, Sabri, an integrated marketing communication major, noted, "I felt so proud and appreciated. All the hard work, sleepless nights and struggles paid off." 

For Sabri, the topic of the film is dear to her heart. "My childhood has always been inspired by countryside tranquility.," she said. "Filming in rural scenery [showed us] how beautiful nature is: cleaner air, quieter life and well-intentioned people."

"It was incredibly hot and sunny on filming day, which made executing some of our shots difficult. But speaking to our interviewees and hearing their stories made us more determined to share their struggles."

The students faced challenges but were persistent in their goal.   

"Filming the documentary was quite tough," said Toutounji. "It was incredibly hot and sunny on filming day, which made executing some of our shots difficult. But speaking to our interviewees and hearing their stories made us more determined to share their struggles. Receiving this award is truly gratifying, as it validates all the dedication and hard work we’ve put into this project. None of this would have been possible without the guidance of our professor, Dr. Mohammad Badawi."

El Omary, a communication and media arts major with a minor in film, described the project as "one of the best" she's worked on. "We struggled a bit while traveling with the equipment, trying to gather as much material as we could in a short time with extremely hot weather and busy schedules, so there was no room for any repetition or ruined material," said El Omary. "We managed to divide the roles between us in a smooth way that made everything flow easily."

The judging panel comprised a distinguished group of Egyptian media professionals, including prominent directors, journalists, TV hosts, as well as public relations and advertising experts.