Between July 2011 and mid-2012, a severe drought affected the entire region of East Africa. Said to be "the worst in 60 years", the drought caused a severe food crisis across Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya that threatened the livelihood of 9.5 million people. 

Many refugees from southern Somalia fled to neighboring Kenya and Ethiopia, where crowded, unsanitary conditions together with severe malnutrition led to a large number of deaths. Other countries in East Africa, including Sudan, South Sudan and parts of Uganda, were also affected by a food crisis.

The food crisis in Somalia primarily affected the south. On 20 July, for the first time in nearly thirty years famine was declared. Recognition came to late for tens of thousands of people, who are believed to have died in southern Somalia before famine was declared.

But what of neighbouring countries and in particular the the towns and villages situated close to the borders of Kenya and Somalia ?. 

In the rush to supply desperately needed food to refugees flooding across the border and into large purpose built camps like Dadaab, those living in neighbouring towns and villages were largely ignored. 

Famine does not follow borders. 

So a foundation from the UK raised money to secure the needs of those who were bypassed by the food trucks.

references from various online sources

Hyde Park's Speakers Corner is situated in the heart of London. 

It is well known around the world for its high octane and unrelenting atmosphere of debate and is an icon for freedom of speech and expression. In its life time the Corner has hosted many speakers who have come and gone.

Today AbdurRaheem Green is returning to Speakers Corner after a 20 year absence. 

Here is a series of three interviews based on the memories of old orators and the fresh experience of new faces that grace us with their skillful public speaking. So meet AbdurRaheem Green, Hamza Patterson and the wit of Jameel. 

"Public Speaking" a definition

Public speaking (sometimes termed Oratory) is the process and act of speaking or giving a lecture to a group of people in a structured, deliberate manner intended to inform, influence, or entertain a listening audience. Public speaking is commonly understood as face-to-face speaking between individuals and an audience for the purpose of communication. It is closely allied to "presenting", although the latter is more often associated with commercial activity. Most of the time, public speaking is to persuade the audience.

references from various online sources

The Young Achievers is a mix of some of my favorite work carried out with young people. Teaching and working with young people has thrown up some of the best moments and memories I have had during my filming career. 

When I walked into that hall and saw those kids getting down to the "Gunadam" (or whatever it is) tune I was almost crying with laughter and joy. Then at the other end, the deep respect I have for the Right Here crew. The young adults I met there, had overcome their own specific health issues and now had time to give back.

Well giving back is a big part of Fig Tree Film as we run film courses for young and old, able and disabled at all levels. There are some gems that never thought they would enjoy filming but through our courses and workshops have found a new hobby or career.

Keep an eye on this page as there are many more films to add.

Back in the day Harlseden & North West London was rarely out of the news. Portrayed as the murder capital of the UK we were barraged with terms such as “yardie”, “black on black”, “trident” and “no go”. To the outsider North West London and particularly Harlseden was under siege from gangs and the drug culture they trade.

During the bitter winter at the close of 2010 Fig Tree Film were commissioned to make a short film depicting the change in character of some residents of north west london. They are leaving a life of gangs and criminality for five prayers a day, fasting and charity. Shot and edited over a period of one month Nabil, Shamsudeen, Shoeib and Ismail recount the transformation and its origins.

Filmed on location in Ladbroke Grove , Harlesden and Kilburn this is a frank and moving account of change.

This poetic tale is only the beginning.

Equipment Canon 7D, Canon 24-70 f2.8L, Canon XHA1, Miller Solo tripod, Senheiser radio mics.

Edited in Final Cut Pro and graded using Magic Bullet

A series of reports and awareness edits in Syria and the bordering towns of Turkey.

My journeys to Syria have raised my awareness of the sometimes unspeakable acts that are taking place and the complacency that surrounds it. Even though the worlds media is looking in another direction the Syrians that have survived, face new hardships and torments every coming day.

But they smile and persist. they cry and persist, they starve and persist, they freeze and persist.

Every time i arrive I hope and fool myself that there will be something better. But when you lightly scratch the surface it continually reveals a deepening situation that sees a generation of people in severe crisis.

Be aware that the films you see here cannot really show the truth of how difficult the life of Syrian families and individuals have sunk to.

Why?

Because they continue to smile.

A simple mix of advertisements and concepts that have been broadcasted on various platforms.

A short film looking at the issue of domestic violence.

DV and abuse can happen to anyone, yet the problem is often overlooked, excused, or denied. An environment can be very normal sometimes perfect but this only masks the hidden situation of the abused. This is especially true when the abuse is psychological, rather than physical. Noticing and acknowledging the signs of an abusive relationship is the first step to ending it. No one should live in fear of the person they love.

. 31% women and 18% men have experienced domestic abuse since the age of 16 years. This amounts to 5 million women and 2.9 million men. Other reports say the numbers are larger.

. At least 750,000 children a year witness domestic violence (Department of Health, 2002)

. 24-hour UK National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline 0808 2000 247

. www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk

. Information partially sourced online

A range of short promotional videos aimed at raising funds for mosques and masjids. 

Islam Festival Edinburgh seeks to promote awareness and understanding of Muslims' faith and life among the festival-going public in Edinburgh.

The programme has grown from year to year, in response to the increasing need to clarify the true teachings of Islam and project its proper image.

This film documents the history and responses of organizers and the multitude of public that flow through the exhibition doors each year.