A short film titled A Letter to My Sister, created by Helen and Irfan Ahmadi, teenage siblings from Herat, received recognition in the 13–17 age category at the PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival.
The film, which addresses gender discrimination in Afghanistan, focuses on a brother’s despair over the unjust treatment of his sister. The siblings, who currently live in Herat, said their film aims to shed light on the impact of restrictions on education for girls in Afghanistan.
“Our goal with this film was to highlight how banning education affects the lives of girls,” Helen and Irfan said.
A platform for global youth
The PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival, a joint initiative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), recognizes young filmmakers who explore themes of migration, diversity, social inclusion, and the prevention of xenophobia. Launched in 2009, the festival empowers youth to become agents of social change through creative storytelling.
This year, 32 films from 21 countries were selected for awards and distinctions by UNAOC, IOM, and 20 partner organizations. The submissions came from countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, Spain, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, the United States, and Yemen.
The festival aims to foster respect for diversity and cultural inclusion in a world often characterized by intolerance and division. By providing a platform for young creators, PLURAL+ encourages them to share their creative visions while addressing global issues.
Helen and Irfan’s film resonates in a country where gender discrimination remains a pressing issue. With Afghan girls and women facing increasing restrictions under the Taliban, their message reflects the resilience of youth striving for equality and justice through art and storytelling.
“Through this film, we wanted to give a voice to the struggles that many girls in Afghanistan face every day,” the siblings said.
