Movie before release

Documentary
New Talent
Workshop project

My Name is Najla – And I am from Western Sahara

For 10 years, this very personal story follows Najla, born in a refugee camp, as she fights for Western Sahara’s independence through peaceful activism, while becoming mother of two.
As war erupts again, Najla is forced to question her pacifist beliefs and the path she must take for her people’s freedom.
A deeply personal portrait, told in conversations with the filmmaker who is also part of the story. This unique project offers a rare and distinctive perpective on resilience, identity, and the search for justice, in a conflict forgotten by the world.

Data

Category: Documentary, New Talent, Workshop project
Financing: Nationaler Film
Format: Digit., 90 Min
Funding ÖFI+: 82.000 €
Share of total production costs: 40 %
Funding program: ÖFI+
Status: before release
Film location: Algeria, Austria, Germany, Spain, Switzerland
Shooting time: June 2024 - October 2025
Days of shooting: 25
Completion: Fall 2025
Funding institutions Austria: Filminstitut

Credits

Production: Patrick Wally Filmproduktion
Producer: Patrick Wally, Shirin Hooshmandi
Director: Patrick Wally
Script-concept: Patrick Wally
DOP: Patrick Wally
Editor: Anna Kirst
Sound engineer: Shirin Hooshmandi
Protagonists: Najla Mohamed Lamin
German Title: Mein Name ist Najla