The Durban FilmMart Institute stands in support against the injustice and violent treatment of five artists who have been imprisoned today, 18 September 2020, in Sudan.
According to a statement released by the SIHA Network, the following artists: Duaa Tarig Mohamed Ahmed, Abdel Rahman Mohamed Hamdan, Ayman Khalaf Allah Mohamed Ahmed, Ahmed Elsadig Ahmed Hammad and Hajooj Mohamed Haj Omar were sentenced to two months imprisonment and a fine of 5,000 SDG (equivalent to 90,9 USD) by the Central Khartoum Primary Court in Sudan. Their arrests followed complaints issued by neighbours who have in the past harassed visitors of the organisation.
Amongst those arrested, is acclaimed filmmaker Hajooj Kuka (Hajooj Mohamed Haj Omar) who was a valued participant in the 2020 Durban FilmMart just over a week ago. Hajooj Kuka directed and produced AKASHA (2018), which premiered at Venice International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, BFI and AFI Fest. His 2014 feature documentary Beats of the Antonov won the People’s Choice Documentary Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, Best Documentary awards at the Durban International Film Festival and the Luxor African Film Festival and was the recipient of the Artwatch Africa Award for Artistic Bravery.
The Durban FilmMart Institute stands with human rights organisations, defenders of the arts, supporters of justice, storytellers and filmmakers in calling for the release of the 5 artists: Duaa Tarig Mohamed Ahmed, Abdel Rahman Mohamed Hamdan, Ayman Khalaf Allah Mohamed Ahmed, Ahmed Elsadig Ahmed Hammad and Hajooj Mohamed Haj Omar.