Sabreen El Awad
Sabreen is a Sudanese-Canadian filmmaker and writer whose work explores migration, memory, and identity through a cinematic lens. Her storytelling is marked by visual restraint, immersive sound, and layered atmospheres that foreground underrepresented experiences. Drawn to spaces where silence, sound, and image intersect, her work reflects the emotional weight of displacement and human resilience. Alongside her film practice, she hosts The Lemon Narrative with Sabreen, a podcast exploring identity, creativity, and what it means to carve your own path.
She currently works as an Executive Assistant at the Canadian Council for Muslim Women, where she supports community-driven change.
What are the most meaningful aspects of this person's work and life?
In my opinion, the most meaningful aspects of Sabreen's life and work is her creativity, her expansive imagination and her ability to draw people in. Sabreen is a multidisciplinary artist and thinker. She writes, makes films, tells stories and actively advocates for Sudan. The creativity, expansive imagination and personal life and work life are both in alignment with her creative nature and her care centred approach.
How has this individual overcome the challenges they face?
Sabreen has overcome a large number of challenges in her life. Some of her struggles would set many people back. But Sabreen took on these challenges, and made something impactful in spite of them. Her challenges became her fire and moved her further in her mission. She is patient and has an incredible sense of humor which she brings even when things are extremely difficult and uncomfortable.
How has this individual empowered you and/or our communities?
She is never afraid to bring her whole self into anything. Her authenticity is so inspiring to me and I am sure that there are many others who see it the same way. Sabreen also recently co-founded Baraka Hub, with her friend Iman, a co-working and event space by and for racialized women. They both identified a need, that they also experience, and immediately envisioned a structure in which that need can be met. Additonally, through her communications, film and storytelling enthusiasm and talent, she opens a space where a lot can be said and brought to light. Whether that is through her podcast 'The Lemon Narrative' or her work in the past with the Muslim Literary Festival, or the stories she tells in her films, or her community engagement, such as her recent 'frames of Sudan' event.
Name a Black Muslim woman who has been an inspiration to you and why.
A black woman who inspires me would be my late grandmother: Hameeda Jadkareem.
My grandmother inspired me through the quiet strength she carried in how she raised my mother, her siblings, and later, me. A widow, she lived with deep generosity, loving openly and giving freely to everyone around her until her final days. Her love and warmth touched every life she encountered, and her presence continues to shape who I am.