In a cozy Parisian café, Hayat Aljowaily was frantically typing on her computer, appearing both focused and concentrated on whatever task she was completing amidst the soft chatter of bypassers and the aromatic scent of freshly brewed coffee. That was the setting in which I got to sit down with the founder of Kalam Aflam and learn more about this French-based initiative that seeks to uphold and spotlight Arab creatives in France and beyond.
Meaning “words and films” when translated from Arabic into English, Kalam Aflam wants to epitomize the concept of “film dialogue,” by nurturing vibrant discussions, fostering collaborations, and developing creative explorations within the cinematic realm and the broader spectrum of art. Offering her community a platform for change, Aljowaily strives to shed light on important and timely topics like boundaries, visas, and climate change– themes that younger generations are according to her less worried about addressing.
“Gen Z… We give less of a damn. We were told from such a young age that the world was screwed so we decided to be ballsy. Also, there is a bit more space for us to act this way, more space for good controversies to spark,” she told MILLE.
The inception of Kalam Aflam finds its roots in the desire to build a supportive network, a space akin to the refuge Aljowaily sought when she initially embarked on her own artistic journey. The idea, which emerged while fundraising for Egyptian screenwriter and filmmaker Farida Zahran in New York City, is slowly, but steadily, growing into a pivotal hub for budding creatives, offering the mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities needed to make a name in such edge-cutting industry.
“I wanted to create a space where for once, we would feel seen, heard, listened to,” the 25-year-old confessed.“I also wanted to create a space where we would be at the centerpiece, instead of being the ‘one Arab artist’ at a festival or exhibit. At Kalam Aflam, Arab and North African artists are front and center, with an audience (of Arabs and non-Arabs) who are here to share in, celebrate, and appreciate their work,” she added.
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Brought up between Egypt and the United States, the young community leader proudly identifies as both Arab and African. As she began to share her life story, Alowaily reflected on the path that led her to the world of cinema. In her own words, she describes her lust for the silver screen industry as not so much of a choice but rather the result of an obsession she has been carrying since her childhood. Always considered an extrovert, Aljowaily’s peers would describe her as an expressive soul who never shied away from making her voice heard be it through drama, music, dancing, or editing videos on Windows MovieMaker.
It wasn’t until university that she decided to immerse herself in the world of cinema– a decision she describes as neutral, almost predestined. While other doors were also open to her, offering successful careers working with NGOs or other international organizations, she felt the compelling need to address sociopolitical issues from an emotional perspective and share them through her favorite medium instead.
It was then that filmmaking became her chosen journey as it became a way to leave a profound impact behind through storytelling. Drawing inspiration from three distinct realms– real life, sociopolitical issues close to her heart, and the whimsical world of rom-coms and musicals– she sees the cinematic potential in everyday moments, turning her own life and those of people around her into a compelling story. As she describes it, her filmmaking style is about making people feel, not just think. It’s about delving them into a world where they can briefly forget reality.
“When I was in university, I realized that it was quite difficult getting into spaces such as festivals as a young Arab artist— if you didn’t already have a stamp of approval from a renowned fund or residency, you weren’t likely to make it to the next step. Kalam Aflam stepped in as a springboard, giving artists a stamp, allowing them to go to other organizations, festivals, and galleries, and to be able to proudly say that they’ve already performed, exhibited, or screened their work to hundreds of people in Paris’ hottest cultural spots,” Aljowaily revealed.
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On what she envisions for the future, Aljowaily dreams of hosting monthly events, creating room for collaborations to flourish, and bring artists together. What’s more, she’d also like the association to become an integral part of people’s daily lives, a place where artists can find inspiration and support and hopes that one day can fondly remember how they met another like-minded person at one of Kalam Aflam’s events.
“The work we’ve been doing has been so rewarding and felt so purposeful that close to nothing could have us back down! If anything, with each edition we grow more and more passionate to take this further and make it bigger,” she enthusiastically shared.
Above all, she envisions Kalam Aflam as a haven of joy and festivity— a sanctuary where diverse languages and different narratives can intertwine seamlessly. Guided by her vision, Kalam Aflam is slowly emerging as a beacon of creativity and solidarity, reshaping the Pan-Arabic art landscape from the heart of Paris.
