Ep 28 - Susan Asfari (The Palestinian-Lebanese Producer Behind Award-Winning Films)

In Episode 28 of The Enlightenment Podcast, Shamim and Hanan sit down with Sawsan Asfari, a Palestinian-Lebanese film producer, philanthropist, and human rights advocate.Sawsan holds a degree in Political Science and Journalism and has dedicated her career to supporting Palestinian communities through education, cultural initiatives, and storytelling. She is the Executive Director of the Galilee Foundation, an organization that empowers Palestinian youth in Israel through education. She is also the co-founder and trustee of the Asfari Foundation, which provides educational opportunities and leadership development programs across the Middle East.In addition to her philanthropic work, Sawsan is an award-winning film producer. She founded Cocoon Films (formerly Cactus World Films) to champion independent cinema that highlights Middle Eastern narratives. Several of her films have received international recognition, including Wajib, Salt of the Sea, and When I Saw You, which won multiple awards at major film festivals. She also produced The Teacher (2023) and Tomorrow’s Freedom (2022), continuing her commitment to impactful storytelling.Sawsan is also a member of the Welfare Association and the US Middle East Project (US MEP), advocating for Palestinian rights and sustainable development initiatives.In this episode, Shamim and Hanan explore Sawsan’s journey from journalism to award-winning film production, her commitment to uplifting Palestinian voices, and the role of storytelling in advocating for justice.***📖 Learn more about Sawsan’s work: 🔹 Asfari Foundation: https://www.asfarifoundation.org.uk/ 🔹 Galilee Foundation: https://www.galileefoundation.org.uk/ 🔹 Cocoon Films: https://cocoonfilms.co.uk/📌 Explore the organizations Sawsan is involved with: 🔸 Taawon Welfare Association: https://www.unrwa.org/taawon-welfare-association 🔸 US MEP: https://www.usmep.us/ 🔸 Arab Women’s Association: https://www.awa-london.org/ 🔸 Hind Rajab Foundation: https://www.hindrajabfoundation.org/🛍️ Support Palestine – Featured Item: 🧣 Map of Palestine Cashmere Shawl: https://anzclothing.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopLPmc4NoSDNhC4yww2brPWEI5Hfa8zVKYF-g8Y0JFdFblHEO2J#SawsanAsfari #EnlightenmentPodcast #PalestinianRights #HumanRights #GalileeFoundation #AsfariFoundation #CocoonFilms #MiddleEast #Podcast