Finnish-Somali Director Naima Mohamud's Debut 'Halima' Wins at Finnish Film Affair
Naima Mohamud's debut feature 'Halima,' the first Finnish feature directed by a Black woman, won Best Fiction Project at the Finnish Film Affair and is now in post-production.
Halima, the debut feature from Finnish-Somali director Naima Mohamud, has been named Best Fiction Project at the Finnish Film Affair, according to Variety. The film is currently in post-production.
Set in Finland in 1998, Halima follows its 10-year-old protagonist, an imaginative Somali girl obsessed with Leonardo DiCaprio and the band Aqua. She dreams of becoming a pop star, but her family is always on the move and she has never had a friend. Her mother refuses to talk about her father.
The project is produced by It's Alive Films, No-Office Films and Vico Films. It holds a notable distinction: it is the first Finnish feature film directed by a Black woman.
Mohamud has said that Somalis have lived in Finland for over 35 years, and that she decided to become a filmmaker at age 14. She also wrote a short film about a reclusive Muslim scholar titled Camphor, which will be directed by Ayla Amano.
Quick answers
What is 'Halima' about?
Set in Finland in 1998, it follows a 10-year-old imaginative Somali girl who is obsessed with Leonardo DiCaprio and the band Aqua and wants to become a pop star, while her family is always on the move and her mother refuses to talk about her father.
Who directed 'Halima'?
Naima Mohamud, a Finnish-Somali director. 'Halima' is her debut feature film.
What award did 'Halima' win?
It was named Best Fiction Project at the Finnish Film Affair.