Following a screening of his short film Matar, which tells the story of a Syrian asylum seeker living on the fringes of society, hear from BAFTA-winning filmmaker and refugee rights activist Hassan Akkad, as he shares his own experiences of fleeing conflict in Syria in 2015, and subsequent work as a filmmaker in the UK.

The first in a series of events delivered in collaboration with BAFTA, which aims to explore the importance of authentic storytelling of refugees onscreen, and the positive impact of collaboration with creatives who have lived experience of migration, in order to build narrative power and create social change.

Hassan’s lecture will be followed by a moderated Q&A.

Please join us after this event for some informal networking drinks in the Reuben Gallery from 20.30 – 22.00 BST.

Hassan Akkad is an award-winning filmmaker and creative director at Choose Love. He co-directed Netflix’s Convergence: Courage in a Crisis (2021) and was the associate producer of the Netflix film The Swimmers. Hassan’s short film, Matar, which he co-wrote and directed was released on WaterBear in 2023 and produced by Deadbeat Films. Hassan was part of the team that made Exodus: Our Journey to Europe which won a BAFTA for Best Factual Series in 2017.

BAFTA is a world-leading independent arts charity that brings the very best work in film, games and television to public attention and supports the growth of creative talent in the UK and internationally. Through its Awards ceremonies and year-round programme of learning events and initiatives – which includes workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes in the UK, USA and Asia – BAFTA identifies and celebrates excellence, discovers, inspires and nurtures new talent, and enables learning and creative collaboration. BAFTA is a registered charity (no. 216726).