The Neighborhood Storyteller
Available screening types
Virtual
On-demand
In-person
Available until
Sep 11, 2025
Speakers Available
Available in
Worldwide
About the film
A young Syrian refugee mother, raised in a society where girls were denied freedom of choice and access to education, is determined to raise the next generation as conscious, confident, and resilient women. By leading reading-aloud circles, she uses literacy as a pathway to empower girls from Zaatari refugee camp. Her community activism becomes a journey of self-discovery and collective healing.The Neighborhood Storyteller is a film that reveals the magic that unfolds when a woman unleashes her full inner potential. Asmaa Rashed is a Syrian refugee, who despite being denied education at a young age and raised in a male-dominated society, has emerged as a powerful force for change and empowerment. By leading reading-aloud circles in her home in Zaatari refugee camp, Asmaa found a way to overcome her adversity transforming it into an opportunity to empower adolescent girls helping them see beyond the limitation of their circumstances.
Genre
Documentary
Runtime
0h 50m
Released
2021
Director
Alejandra Alcala, Alejandro Garcia
Producer
Francisco Alcala Torreslanda
Executive Producer
Mariam Al Hammadi, Abdullah Mohamed, Natasha Nazi
Crew
Ghufran Abudayyeh, Essa Makhadmeh, Amani Abu-Agha, Bernardo Castro, Patti Bartelstein, Chema Mumford
Awards & recognition
Mountainfilm Festival
Women in Film Award
Toronto International Women's Film Festival
Best Human Rights Award
Amsterdam Short Film Festival
Best Documentary Short Award
The Women's Film Festival
Official Selection
The Hague Global Cinema Film Festival
Best Documentary Refugees Challenges Award
LA Femme International Film Festival
Official Selection
Close:Up Edinburgh Film Festival
Nominated
Annual Copenhagen Film Festival
Nominated Best Feature Doc
Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth
Nominated
Refugees Welcome Film Festival
Official Selection
Docs Without Borders
Excellence Award
Orion International Film Festival
Highly Commended Feature Documentary
Beirut International Women Film Festival
Special Jury Mention
Artic Film Festival
Nominated Best Feature Documentary
The 2023 Women's Voices Now Film Festival
Tom Lantos Best Human Rights Award
International Migration & Environmental Film Festival
Official Selection
Docuworld Film Festival
Best International Feature Documentary
Women Deliver Arts & Film Festival
Finalist
United Nations Association Film Festival
Official Selection
Film Without Borders
Official Selection
What people are saying
‘It is a moving and shocking story. The cinematography, direction and music are fantastic. I highly recommend the movie, it is an important story of courage and compassion”.‘
Kristy Gladfelter, Senior Director Research, Analysis and Learning IRC
IRC
‘“The film highlighted a true story of the refugees’ hardships and how resilience could turn it into a community growth opportunity.”‘
Reema Abu-Hammad, ARAMEX Sr. Global Growth & Strategy Manager
ARAMEX
‘“The Neighborhood Storyteller” is not only an inspirational film, it is also both beautifully and empathetically shot. It’s like watching visual poetry.”‘
Kristin Fellow, Documentary film consultant, strategist & PBS station wrangler for more than 100 films
PBS
‘“What makes Asmaa’s story more inspiring is that in her journey of self-growth, she chose not to walk alone but to lift up the lives of many more out of their painful conditions.”‘
- Alya Al Musaib, Head of Communication of The Big Heart Foundation
TBHF