In a world often obsessed with the glitz of fiction and the escapism of cinema. Beyond the bubble, Salma Stohy is redefining the Egyptian documentary. The rising filmmaker made waves at the 7th MedFest Film Festival, taking home the award for Best Rising Egyptian Filmmaker for her short documentary, Saudi One-Way. Also, she won Best Documentary Award at Ismailia International Film Festival for Short Films and Documentaries.
But for Salma, the awards are just a byproduct of a much deeper mission. Her mission is popping the “cultural bubbles” we live in and showing the unscripted heart of Egypt.
A Sign from the Streets
Salma’s journey did not begin in the director’s chair. Early on, she aspired to be a presenter. Reflecting on her early ambitions, ” I always wanted to know what happens behind the camera. But as I grew up, I realized I loved filmmaking even more.” As she grew creatively, she experienced a quiet shift. Amid moments of self-doubt, she once captured a simple street video whose positive feedback felt like a clear sign to move forward.
“I felt it was a sign from God to continue,” Salma reflects. “Even if what I was doing wasn’t universally liked, I knew I needed to keep going.”
From Graduation Project to Global Stage
Initially, Saudi One-Way was simply a challenging graduation project at The American University in Cairo. Over time, it developed into an award-winning film. It was not created in a studio, but born from Salma’s ongoing fascination with rural traditions. She filmed what is behind wedding preparations in the countryside, such as preparing the furniture ( Tangeed in Arabic) and the Henna night.
The film stands out because of its authenticity. There are no actors here, only real people living real experiences. This raw honesty caught the eye of actress and Medfest’s judge Yousra El Lozy, who noted that “the laughter on screen was unmistakably genuine.”
” I don’t care about making something just for the sake of making it,” Salma says. “For me, film is a communication tool, not just entertainment.”
Breaking the “Eastern” Stereotype
Salma is determined to take Egyptian stories far beyond local borders. After her film won Best Documentary at the Helsinki Arab Film Festival in Finland , she realized how hungry the West is for authentic Arab narratives.
“People in Western societies think we live in a bubble,” she explains. By documenting the other side of rural traditional weddings (Afrah Shabiya in Arabic), she connects cultures, proving that stories of love, family, and tradition are universal.
The Niche Path: Why Documentaries?
While many young directors flock to feature films, Salma is staying firmly rooted in the “untold stories” of non fiction. Beyond the bubble, Salma Stohy is Redefining the Egyptian documentary viewing herself as a messenger for those whose voices are often lost in the noise.
Her success speaks for itself. With three major awards already under her belt, Salma is currently in pre-production for a new documentary with Al Wassa’eq channel.
What’s Next?
As the only Egyptian director among 27 international peers attending the “Road to Clermont-Ferrand” program in France, Salma Stohy has become a leading voice in Egyptian documentary filmmaking. Through capturing the heartbeat of everyday Egypt, she reveals stories of real people that compel us to look closer.
Salma clearly stated, “I believe my message is shedding light on issues that people never saw and making documentaries is my way to do it.”