In this insightful episode of The Ajyal Show, Suzannah Mirghani, a distinguished writer, director, and producer, discusses her meticulous creative process. Suzannah explains how she often takes years to write her scripts, revisiting and refining them over time, even after they’re considered "finished." She shares her passion for living with characters and worlds, allowing them to evolve naturally as part of her journey.

Currently, Suzannah is working on her first feature film, ‘Cotton Queen’, a story based on British colonialism in Sudan and the cotton industry. The film’s title draws inspiration from a beauty competition in cotton fields, reflecting her deep research into the subject. For Suzannah, research is essential, and she seamlessly weaves it into her writing process. As she develops a script, she explores historical archives, creating folders filled with details on specific topics like women, cotton, and trains. This dedicated approach enables her to write deeply human and relatable character-driven stories, rather than flat historical accounts.

She also highlights the importance of collaboration during production, particularly with costume designers and art directors, whose expertise ensures that historical accuracy is reflected in the visual aspects of her films. Suzannah’s stories often tackle contemporary issues through a historical lens, exploring themes of identity, history, and women's experiences, particularly young girls' coming-of-age journeys. She believes that filmmaking is inherently political, as personal stories can challenge the status quo and provoke thought.

To learn more about Doha Film Institute's initiatives, workshops and funding that help support Qatar’s filmmaking community, visit our website here.