Following a sold-out U.S. debut in New York last month, MEDIHA has returned to the UK for Q&A previews ahead of its UK release on 22 November. On Saturday 3 November, BAFTA hosted a special event featuring a Q&A with director Hasan Oswald and executive producer Emma Thompson, moderated by multi-Emmy award-winning journalist Hind Hassan.

The moving discussion focused on the collaborative filmmaking process between Hasan and Mediha Alhamad, with Emma Thompson reflecting on the powerful draw of Mediha’s story, and recounting the emotional impact of watching early cuts. She noted Hasan’s distinct, sensitive approach to storytelling, which she believes was essential in honouring Mediha’s journey. The audience also heard from Mediha herself, who shared a recorded message from her current home in New York.

MEDIHA follows the remarkable journey of one girl’s fight to find her missing family members, revealing the strength of a young survivor. Mediha, a teenage Yazidi girl, turns the camera on herself to process her trauma after surviving captivity under ISIS. The film has been making waves on the international film circuit since its world premiere at DOC NYC in 2023.

Find out more about the film and its impact campaign by visiting medihafilm.com

MEDIHA will be released in select UK cinemas from 22nd November.

Photography credit: Laura Palmer