We are incredibly proud to celebrate the achievements of former Year 11 student Laaibah Mahmood, who recently helped create the award-winning documentary Unveiled Voices, which has been named Best Documentary at the prestigious Into Film Awards.
Created through Fatima Women’s Association (FWA) as part of Into Film’s Every Child a Filmmaker initiative, Unveiled Voices explores what it means to be a young brown Muslim woman in Oldham.
Working alongside professional filmmakers from Working Class Film School, the group developed skills in scriptwriting, cinematography, lighting, interviewing and documentary production before independently creating a powerful film that challenges stereotypes and celebrates identity.
The Into Film Awards are the UK’s leading celebration of young filmmaking talent, with hundreds of entries submitted from across the UK. This year’s ceremony, held at ODEON Luxe Leicester Square in London, welcomed stars including Bella Ramsey, Jason Isaacs, Jodie Whittaker, Nick Frost and Peter Capaldi, while actor Nabhaan Rizwan presented the award for Best Documentary.
We caught up with Laaibah ahead of the ceremony to hear more about her experience and what being part of Unveiled Voices has meant to her.
Photo credit: Into Film Awards
Q1. Can you tell us a little about Fatima Women’s Association (FWA) and how you first became involved with the group?
A: : FWA is a community-led charity based in Oldham, dedicated to empowering disadvantaged women, young people and children. It provides a safe, culturally sensitive space to help individuals overcome barriers. Many young people came together and, with the help of our producer, we decided to make a documentary for brown Muslim girls, as that is who we are.
Q2. How did you become involved in the Every Child a Filmmaker project?
A: Into Film is a national charity that helps young people learn about films, and they were looking for youth groups across the country for their special project, Every Child a Filmmaker. My Friday youth group at FWA was offered the project and that’s how I met Hafsah from Working Class Film School. Hafsah is a professional artist and filmmaker, and she came every Friday for a few months last summer to teach us how to make documentary films.
Q3. You were involved in so many different aspects of the project, from interviewing people to filming and editing. What did a typical day working on the project look like?
A: One of our workshops was in a library. We started by writing our scripts and decided who would be our speakers for the day. We then began to set up our filming stations and decided our roles for the day, such as who was going to do sound, camera and lighting. We then started filming each person’s roles, took breaks in between. At the end of the session, we were able to watch a few clips from the previous day.
Q4. Which part of creating Unveiled Voices did you enjoy the most, and why?
A: I enjoyed using all the camera equipment the most as it was a new experience for me and I had never used some of the equipment before. Learning and using all the equipment was very fun. We learned about capturing sound with big, heavy microphones that needed to be held at different angles. We were also able to see what happens behind the scenes.
Q5. What was the biggest challenge you faced during the project, and how did you overcome it?
A: One of the biggest challenges was overcoming the social anxiety of going out into public to get people’s views and opinions, but it also being shared online was nerve-racking as you never know how the documentary will come across to others. Overall, I hope it inspires people to reach their full potential and overcome their barriers.
Q6. Why do you think it is important for young people to have opportunities to tell their own stories through projects like this?
A: I think it is very important for young people to be able to tell their own stories as it gives them a voice and it shows their stories matter. Every person has experiences that shape who they are, and by sharing them it allows others to see the world through a different perspective. Many young people have faced challenges themselves and often feel misunderstood, especially if their identity, faith and culture is different from those around them.
Q7. What skills have you developed through making Unveiled Voices that you think will help you in the future?
A: A skill I have developed is confidence in communicating with others. Sharing real stories takes courage, especially if it is considered unusual or out of the ordinary. Through interviewing people, speaking on camera and expressing important messages, I have become more confident in using my voice and listening to others. This skill is important as it helps connect with people on a deeper level.
Q8. How did it feel to learn that Unveiled Voices had been nominated for the Into Film Award for Best Documentary?
A: It feels surreal to have been nominated for this award. It’s a reminder that the stories we shared have been seen and heard. Knowing something you created has inspired people and helped someone to feel understood means far more than the award itself. It feels like all the hard work that went into this film has made a real difference.
Q9. Has being involved in this documentary changed the way you think about filmmaking or your own future ambitions?
A: Yes, being involved in this documentary has changed the way I see filmmaking and storytelling. I have realised that films and documentaries are so much more than just entertainment. They have the power to give people a voice, and they hold such a strong meaning and message behind them.
Q10. What advice would you give to other young people who are thinking about getting involved in filmmaking or sharing their own stories?
A: For anyone who is looking to do something like this outside of school, my advice would be to just go for it, no matter what others think because you never know the impact your documentary or film, or whatever you decide to do, will have on others. You could make a real difference. Also, taking part could open doors to many new opportunities that may shape your future.
Q11. What do you hope people take away from watching Unveiled Voices?
A: I hope people take away from Unveiled Voices that you don’t need to follow the norm. Simply do what makes you happy because, at the end of the day, this is your life and no one gets to live it for you. I hope people build up the courage to break those stereotypes and chase their dreams. I also hope they understand the lives of brown Muslim girls and their journey throughout life.
Q12. What does being part of Unveiled Voices mean to you personally?
A: I am proud to be part of Unveiled Voices as it gave me the opportunity to tell a story. Being involved means I was able to help people see beyond stereotypes and show that brown Muslim girls are so much more than just a label. Knowing that the documentary could encourage more important conversations makes me feel seen and understood.
Congratulations to Laaibah and everyone involved in Unveiled Voices on this outstanding achievement. We are delighted to see one of our former students helping to tell such an important story, using creativity and filmmaking to challenge perceptions, inspire others and give a platform to voices that deserve to be heard.
Photo credit: Into Film Awards
