How this group is keeping Afghan cinema alive in the diaspora

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, they have unofficially banned music and movies. However, a group of volunteers has been striving to keep cinema alive by screening Afghan movies in Australian cities.

Ghan International Film Festival (GIFFA) promotional poster (main) and inset from L to R, volunteer Arif Haleemy; founder Fahim Hashimi; participant and former head of the Afghan community in Adelaide, Ghulam Mohammad Bedar; Melbourne-based actor Salam Sangi; and volunteer Munir Sarvari. Credit: Supplied/GIFFA

Key Points

• The Taliban unofficially banned music, movies and cinema in Afghanistan.
• The Ghan International Film Festival Australia (GIFFA) was begun in 2016 by an Afghan filmmaker and a group of volunteers in South Australia.
• Founder Fahim Hashimi says the festival is helping to keep Afghan cinema alive.

The Ghan International Film Festival Australia (GIFFA) was launched in 2016 by a filmmaker and a group of volunteers in South Australia, and has now been expanded to Melbourne and Sydney.

This year, the GIFFA featured five high-quality short films, two feature documentaries and a feature film in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney and the organisers say they plan to expand it to Brisbane and Perth in coming years.

During the two days of screening this year, a selection of powerful, thought-provoking and excellent short and documentary films was presented, such as 'Laughing in Afghanistan' and 'Watandar'.

‘Dark future for Afghan cinema’

Adelaide-based filmmaker and the founder of GIFFA, Fahim Hashimi, said that when the festival began about eight years ago, it was only “supported by the government” but was now backed by different organisations, foundations and communities.

While movies and cinema are unofficially banned in his country, organising such events in other countries such as Australia would help to promote and strengthen Afghan cinema, Mr Hashimi said.

The “income received” from this year’s events would be sent to support “the victims of the recent earthquake in Afghanistan, especially in Herat [province],” he added.

“It started with the aim of promoting Afghan cinema, to introduce (it) to Australians and all the people who are residing in this country including our (fellow) Afghans. We want to tell them that in our country, we don't have cinemas, but we have artists to produce films.

“The second aim [of this festival] was to keep alive the history of Afghans who came to Australia about 160 years ago and for those who may not be aware, we have a very rich and glorious history in Australia, which is why we named this festival ‘Ghan’.”

Afghan filmmaker GIFFA founder, Fahim Hashimi, is interviewed by SBS Pashto during the festival.

He said the third aim was to appreciate the work of filmmakers, whose films, usually short films, were screened during the festival. Monies raised in previous years had all gone to orphans in Afghanistan and this year, funds instead went to the victims of the recent earthquake.

In October 2023, a series of earthquakes, including a 6.3 magnitude quake and subsequent aftershocks, struck Afghanistan, marking the deadliest seismic event in the country in the past two decades. The disaster claimed more than 2,400 lives.

Mr Hashimi told SBS Pashto that the future of Afghan cinema was unknown under the Taliban regime and if Afghans living outside Afghanistan “do not get involved” then the future could be “very dark”.

“I do not know what will happen after this to cinema (in Afghanistan). During the Taliban's regime, even if we have a film from Afghanistan, it may have the aspect of 'Talibanism [where the ideas and practices assciated with Taliban will be promoted]',” he said.

“I think it is a good time to produce movies based on the stories from (my country).

“If Australia can help the people of Afghanistan in the film and filmmaking sector, it will be a great help.”

(L to R) Afghan film maker, Fahim Hashimi; independent writer, Joseph Cassar; and Melbourne-based film maker, Salam Sang. Credit: Supplied

‘Keen to contribute’

Writer, Joseph Cassar, who recently published a book about an Afghan interpreter who worked with the Australian Defence Force, was a participant at the festival in Sydney.

Mr Cassar said he was concerned for the Afghan people, particularly in relation to the abuse of human rights and lack of freedom for women. He said that the “contact with Afghanistan came” because he wanted to help the “Afghan refugees” who were coming to Australia.

“I have a soft spot for what the Afghan people have been subjected to with regards to the abuse of human rights with the different ethnic factions and also especially with the lack of rights being enjoyed by young women and women in general,” he said.

“I was keen to see how I can contribute to help with that cause and this festival for me is a really good platform because the proceeds from the movie go to help the Herat earthquake victims and other families (in need) in Afghanistan.

“If I look further into the future, I (urge) other Afghan producers from around the world to actually submit their cinematic experiences to this festival.

“I could even see this as becoming an international platform for Afghan producers and directors to expose their talents.”

‘More Afghan festivals needed’

Munir Sarvari was a high school teacher in Afghanistan and first arrived in Australia nearly 20 years ago with his family members.

He has been living in Adelaide and working as a volunteer with the festival in his city.

Mr Sarvari told SBS Pashto that he had witnessed many cultural events organised by Afghan communities and individuals over the past two decades however more were needed.

Munir Sarvari resides in Adelaide and has been actively contributing to the GIFFA on a voluntary basis. Credit: SBS Pashto / Mujeeb Muneeb

“Creating such a festival [like GIFFA] was an urgent need. Honestly, it should be said that fortunately, it has been effective,” he said.

“Organising such programs and festivals is for the benefit of any reasonable and human goal. No wise person, in the light of human wisdom, would be harmed by the positive promotion of culture."

He said a society's culture "forms a mirror" of its true identity.