In our eighth episode of The Ajyal Show, we journey into the multifaceted world of Afef Ben Mahmoud—a distinguished actress, director, and mentor. Afef shares her path into the creative arts, beginning with her love for acting as a child and joining a theatre group at school. She emphasises the crucial role education has played throughout her career.

Afef elaborates on the nuances between acting for the camera and acting on stage, exploring "the art of emotion". She provides a glimpse into her process of preparing for roles, discussing the guidance she received from directors and mentors, and how she chooses her acting methods for each project. Afef addresses the possibilities of improvisation on set and the techniques actors use to embody the right emotions for their characters. She also shares insights from her most challenging role and underscores the importance of authenticity in acting, noting that the craft teaches the honesty of emotion.

She contrasts her experiences in directing and writing her recent films with her acting roles, shedding light on the different creative processes involved. Afef discusses her mentoring roles, highlighting the significance of guiding emerging artists and the importance of "transmission" in the arts.

Finally, Afef offers her perspective on the richness and complexity of MENA film culture, making this episode a fascinating, in-depth exploration of the art and soul of filmmaking and acting.

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