NAME: Liwuchoo Albino Ukoth 

AGE: 23-Year-old

NATIONALITY: South Sudanese 

INTEREST: Camera Operation

"My dream is to create impactful documentaries about my community to inspire others to take action to help those in need."

In 2001, my family and I left South Sudan to seek refuge in Kenya. But due to threats in the camp, my father returned and unfortunately passed. My mother and older brother also returned to South Sudan, leaving me with my younger siblings. Life in the camp was challenging, but returning to South Sudan posed risks. Having gone through these challenges, I realised my desire to share my story and the many similar experiences people have faced in the camp. My passion for Storytelling fueled my love for film, as it is a platform through which I can bring untold stories to light. 

Determined to take steps towards becoming a professional filmmaker, I began by practising photography. Using my phone, I took photos of moments during cultural festivals and volunteered to take pictures for others, such as football teams, during their matches and practices. I wanted to continue improving my skills and viewed the FilmAid media class, which not only taught essential skills but also was cost-free, as an accessible and great opportunity to move closer to my goals.

I dream of creating documentaries about my community that touch people's hearts and inspire action to help others. Documentaries are powerful because they can reach a broad audience and showcase complex issues. I want to share a story about a South Sudanese woman living in my community. She makes alcohol every day to earn money and provide for her children, especially since the food rations in the camp are limited. I want to showcase stories like hers, which deeply touch me, highlighting the challenges faced by our community while also illustrating their resilience despite adversity.

I also want to continue improving my photography skills and learning more about sound design, as these aspects go hand in hand with filmmaking. Photography can be very effective when focusing on a particular issue. For instance, in my community, I see people suffering from Guinea-worm disease, and a photo of the problem would be a powerful way to raise awareness of their plight. I am also interested in sound because it serves as a powerful tool by connecting people with culture and sharing the emotions of individuals. -My pursuit is to continue learning and reach my goal of telling the untold stories of my community, fostering empathy, and driving positive change.