In 1989, the members of the Sudanese Film Group saw their dream of establishing a Sudanese cinema free from state censorship dashed by the military coup and repressive dictatorship of Omar al-Bashir. Now, reunited after decades of distance and exile, filmmakers Ibrahim Shadad, Manar Al Hilo, Suleiman Mohamed Ibrahim Elnour, and Eltayeb Mahdi seek to bring life back to their old dream, aiming to make cinema a reality in Sudan by reopening an outdoor cinema in the city of Omdurman.

Their uphill battle—as well as their reminiscences and images from the remarkable, daring films they created—reveal the beautiful and brutal faces of their country.

Starling Collective is a community-based organisation that supports and empowers people seeking asylum and those who have been granted refugee status. Their work is collaborative and participatory, with services shaped and led by people with lived experience.

The organisation provides compassionate, trauma-informed support through volunteer-led advice services, mental health programmes, welfare support, and help with accessing education, training, volunteering and employment opportunities. Starling Collective is committed to creating safe and welcoming spaces where people are valued beyond labels, and where resilience, culture and community are celebrated.