'Ahmad Alive': Harrowing documentary follows the reality of living in Gaza

Clarence Ford speaks with Yusuf Omar, co-founder of Seen media company

Listen to the interview in the audio below.

The immersive media company, Seen, is hosting its first-ever film festival in South Africa.

Its main feature is the short documentary film ‘Ahmad Alive’ by Ahmad Ghunaim, whose dream of becoming a travel vlogger went up in flames as he recorded: "Everything destroyed in seconds", after he survived his home being bombed.

Ghurnaim never intended to be a war correspondent, but felt he had to share the reality in Gaza after 7 October last year, especially with foreign journalists being banned.

Using just his phone, he captured the reality of living through Israel’s assault on Gaza, and shares how overnight, he became a refugee living on the streets.

“This is a really powerful piece of storytelling.”

- Yusuf Omar, co-founder of Seen media company

'Ahmad Alive' premieres in three South African cities: Durban - April 12; Johannesburg - April 13; Cape Town - April 14.

Film fest goers will have the opportunity to meet Ahmad in person, and to watch short films from other Gazan storytellers.

Another film is about Omar, the 'Isaac Newton of the refugee camps', who managed to build a wind turbine to bring electricity to his refugee camp.

“We want to immerse you in the stories, and make it feel like you are there.”

- Yusuf Omar, co-founder of Seen media company

All proceeds from the ticket sales will go towards funding relief in Gaza.

For tickets and further information, visit www.seen.tv