Sanctuary Film Screening and Q&A

Free and open to all.

Join the UAL Sanctuary Programme for an evening film screening and discussion showcasing award-nominated films by LCC MA Documentary Film students and alumni with lived experience of displacement. The programme explores heritage and generational family ties, conflict and diaspora, state violence, protest and the realities of seeking refuge in hostile environments. The selected three films cross borders from Lebanon and Greece to Afghanistan, Palestine and the UK to explore the many facets of diasporic identity.

The following films will be screened:

The Weight of Everything (2024), by Naser Alsadi Yussuf: A Palestinian filmmaker living in the UK is torn between leading a normal life and bearing witness to the suffering of his family in the besieged West Bank city of Jenin.

Jaan (2025), by Lena Mohammed: In “Jaan”, the filmmaker uses her mother’s forbidden cassettes and dance to tell the stories and show the spirit of Afghan women across generations.

Bury Me (2025), by Mariana Rosteck: Three generations of Lebanese women spend the summer together reminiscing in their family home in Greece after the eldest granddaughter's Greek Orthodox wedding, and discuss their hopes, yearning, and guilt surrounding their Lebanese heritage and identity.

This collection of work foregrounds filmmakers as witnesses, advocates and agents of sanctuary. The screening will be followed by a moderated panel discussion and audience Q&A, creating space for reflection, dialogue, and critical exchange.

This screening is part of the UAL Sanctuary Programme, marking the beginning of a wider series of Sanctuary Screenings that aim to establish a platform for engaging with themes of displacement, migration, and belonging through film.

For more information about the UAL Sanctuary Programme, visit our webpage here: https://www.arts.ac.uk/partnerships/ual-global/sanctuary

About the Filmmakers:

Naser Alsadi Yussuf is a Palestinian-born filmmaker and freelance photographer, currently based in the UK. Naser’s work focuses on the personal stories of individuals, particularly those whose experiences have the power to inspire or raise awareness for others. His mission is to create films that make a meaningful impact, no matter how small, and to amplify the voices of those whose stories often go unheard. As an artist, Naser is drawn to the portraits of individuals who inspire him and whose narratives, he believes, can foster empathy and understanding on a global scale.

Afghan-British filmmaker and journalist Lena Mohammed, based in London, explores stories of identity, resilience, and truth. Combining a journalistic eye with a cinematic sensibility, she crafts research-driven narratives that resonate across platforms. With extensive experience in freelance and contracted journalism — including contributions to LiveProjectSolutions and her recent work with the International Building Press of Journalists (IBP) — Lena brings depth, curiosity, and precision to every project. Passionate about the power of sound, she strives to create synaesthetic experiences that blur the line between hearing and seeing, fact and feeling.

Mariana Rosteck is a Lebanese/German filmmaker based in London. Her work so far explores expressions of femininity and themes of diasporic identity and belonging by combining theatrical and performative storytelling with documentary. With a background in classical piano and ballet, she brings an innate musicality to her filmmaking.

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Filming and Photography: Please note that filming and photography may be taking place at this event. Both bigger crowds, smaller groups and individuals may be captured on camera. All imagery and footage may at some point be published on the College website, social media channels, and in print.

If you have any specific access requirements for an event or exhibition at all please contact us by email (events@lcc.arts.ac.uk) or phone (020 7514 8498) in advance of your visit, so that we can make any necessary preparations or adjustments.