Solar Cinema Western Sahara

Solar Cinema Western Sahara (SCWS) is a mobile cinema powered by solar energy for the Sahrawi refugee population in the refugee camps. It is the third pillar of “Cinema for the Sahrawi People”, which includes the Abidin Kaid Saleh audiovisual school and FiSahara film festival, and was created in collaboration with the Amsterdam-based Solar World Cinema.

The project has provided the technical know-how and technology to Sahrawis so that they can plan and conduct screenings throughout the year in all the refugee camps and neighbourhoods. It also compiles a film library that will continue to expand, and which will include many different genres of film, all specifically curated for local tastes and needs. Through SCWS’s mobile cinemas, film screenings and discussions are branching out to primary and secondary schools, community libraries, youth and women’s associations and many other venues.

Film is a tool for self-expression and reflection; a form of cultural resistance and an important part of human rights activism. Film is also a brand new art in the Western Sahara. Screenings of local films made in the audiovisual school are an empowering experience for these new audiences, as they see their lives, history and struggle reflected on the big screen. They also open up spaces for discussing critical issues in the community. Screenings dealing with other struggles, stories and characters that Sahrawis can relate to and learn from, act as an open a window to the world.

Solar Cinema Western Sahara started as a collaboration between the Abidin Kaid Saleh audiovisual school in the Bojador refugee camp, FiSahara, and Solar World Cinema. SCWS functions year-round and is managed by staff and students from the Sahrawi film school. NomadsHRC helps secure funding, supports project design and provides additional film content. Solar World Cinema gives technical advice in how to set up, operate and maintain a Solar Cinema and how totrain the local team at the film school; it also offers short film programmes and connects SCWS with its global network of Solar Cinemas.

SCWS also compiles a film library that will continue to expand, and that includes many different genres of film, all specifically curated for local tastes and needs.

Partners: Solar World Cinema, EFA Abidin Kaid Saleh

Supported by: Dimes Foundation, Movies That Matter