Today we’d like to introduce you to Sufian Abulohom.
Sufian, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
When I was in fifth grade, I wrote a paper for my social studies class with my childhood best friend Mohammed A. Abdullatif on “أطفال الشوارع,” which translates to “Street Children.” After learning more about the topic, I borrowed my sister’s MP4 that had a camera and went to the streets of Sana’a, Yemen to get the children’s perspective. Little did I know that I was making my very first documentary.
My life completely changed when I went on a flight from Sana’a, Yemen to Falls Church, Virginia. A round ticket that ended up one way, and a one-month visit that lasted a decade and counting.
During our visit in the States, my father was diagnosed with cancer. He started his treatment, so we had to prolong our stay with the goal of going back to Yemen.
A few weeks turned into months and months turned into years.
During winter break of my senior year in high school, my father passed away and we flew back to Yemen. My mom wanted us to finish the school year before we officially moved back to Yemen, so we went back to VA to finish the school year.
At the time, a revolution began in Yemen… then war eventually broke out, making Falls Church, VA our second home.
My life didn’t change for better or worse when I moved to the States. It just became different.
I went to American University where my father graduated from. I also got the chance to study abroad in the Film Academy of Prague (FAMU) where I fell in love with film all over again.
I graduated and started working on documentaries and music videos. I went on to shoot a documentary with the support of the UNHCR about Yemeni refugees living in a refugee camp, which screened in over 15 countries and won awards at DOC LA & the Impact Doc Awards.
I then got accepted into my dream school, USC School of Cinematic Arts, which I’m about to graduate from with an MFA in Film Production.
I’m now finishing up my thesis documentary, developing my first feature film, and I just got a grant funding for my next documentary right after graduation.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t been an easy road at all, but I can’t deny that the privilege in my life played a huge role in where I am today.
I have a very supportive mother who encourages both me and my sisters in ways that I can’t even describe.
My older sister studied fashion design, got her MBA and worked in the fashion industry in New York. My younger sister is also planning to continue her graduate studies overseas at Oxford after studying International Relations in Washington, D.C.
I think we all know that our mom played a big role for all of us.
With that, it’s really been a very tough road. It’s not easy being one of very few Yemeni filmmakers. Being brown in Los Angeles has its challenges. If you’ve worked with me before, you know that I give my all to each project I take on. I breathe and sleep film. If my name is going to be on something, I want to ensure that it reflects the quality that I want to present to the world. I’ve deleted so many projects that I’ve worked on for years because I didn’t feel like they were good enough. I’m my own worst critic, which is something I need to work on.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m a film director and producer.
I work mostly on documentaries because it’s what I know how to do the most. I’m trying to work more on fiction films and music videos, but for now, documentaries are my main focus.
My goal is to humanize and shed light on Yemeni stories through my work. While not everything I do is about Yemen, it usually connects to my Yemeni identity somehow. To me, filmmaking is my voice. It’s how I contribute to the world with what I have to say.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I’ve been so lucky in my life to have so many people supporting me throughout my career.
My mom and my two sisters have heard me pitch so many ideas that I don’t even end up making. They’ve watched so many cuts of the same project over and over again and gave me feedback.
My cousins and childhood friends who don’t hold back with their honest comments throughout the years and watch so many cuts over and over again.
My peers from American, FAMU, USC and in LA who inspire me every day with their hard work and passion.
My professors at American, FAMU, and USC who pushed me to be where I am today.
Professors like James Savoca leave a big impression. He makes so much time to help me with my films. I wasn’t fortunate to have him as my professor, but I’ve learned so much from him along the way. Or professors like Amanda Pope who supports my vision as a director and never stops smiling in the process even at the toughest times.
When I look back at my time at USC, Susan Arnold is attached to that memory. She was my professor at a class called 508, which is at the core of the grad program. When I was a kid, I remember watching her movie 13 going on 30 with my mom and sisters. I’ve been her student and student assistant for a year and a half. She makes me want to teach film someday. She works harder than anyone I know and it’s very refreshing to watch.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sufianha.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @sufianha
- Twitter: @sufianha
Image Credit:
Chaochen Li, Fatima AlFulaij, Sufian Abulohom & Melissa Fazli
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