About Sooyaal

Sooyaal is a cultural platform and film initiative dedicated to archiving, curating, and celebrating the stories of Somali people through cinema and storytelling. We exist to center Somali narratives — whether they’re told through a camera lens, shared through a conversation, or remembered across generations.

The word Sooyaal means “history” or “legacy” in Somali. To us, it is both a reminder and a responsibility — to protect the richness of Somali experience and to ensure our stories are not lost, misrepresented, or forgotten.

At a time when representation still falls short, Sooyaal is here to create intentional space for Somali creatives, elders, youth, and communities to come together around powerful, authentic storytelling. We are not a production company. We are curators, connectors, and cultural workers who believe in the urgency and beauty of Somali stories — in all their forms.

What We Do

Film Curation & Screenings
We organize film screenings, public programs, and special events that spotlight Somali-directed and Somali-centered films. From local theaters to universities, libraries, and community spaces — we bring Somali cinema directly to the people it represents.

Cultural Preservation
Sooyaal is committed to documenting and preserving Somali oral histories, traditional storytelling, and everyday lived experiences. Through film festivals, archival efforts, and creative gatherings, we honor both ancestral wisdom and contemporary identity.

Community Engagement
We facilitate thoughtful conversations, Q&As, and intergenerational dialogue around the power of Somali storytelling. Whether it’s post-screening discussions or informal workshops, we create spaces where stories are not only watched but deeply felt and reflected on.

Youth and Emerging Voices
We actively uplift young Somali creatives, students, and emerging storytellers. Through our platform, we promote their work, connect them with audiences, and encourage pride in their roots. Sooyaal is as much about the future as it is about the past.

Why We Exist

Somali cinema is not new — but it has often been overlooked or underestimated. From the golden era of Somali film in the 1970s to the current wave of diasporic filmmakers reshaping the global narrative, our stories deserve more light and more platforms. Sooyaal steps in as a bridge — between generations, between continents, and between memory and imagination.

We believe storytelling is a form of resistance, healing, and connection. And we know that by telling our stories on our own terms, we shape how we are remembered — and how we remember ourselves.

Join Us

Whether you're a filmmaker, student, elder, or simply someone who values Somali stories — you are part of this movement. Sooyaal is for the community, by the community.

Follow us. Share with us. Build with us.
Let’s make history — together.