There was no better way to spread peace and hope than using art and film, even if Mahmoud Ab had to challenge taboos in his community in Mauritania.

Break social taboos in Mauritania, Mahmoud Ab uses art and cinema to promote peace and hope in his community.

His passion for film and culture prompted him to embark on an inspiring journey in 2002. Establishing an association for Mauritanian filmmakers and cinematographers, Ab organized free acting, production and broadcast programmes across the country. He would tour, sometimes on a camel, to screen meaningful films in rural villages and organize awareness workshops to address the importance of cinema and art in promoting positivity.

Ab contributed to organizing seven courses in Nouakchott International Film Festival that trained 200 people on project and business management, 370 participants on filmmaking and 70 on volunteerism.

He refused to give up to his society’s firm opposition when he first started, only to win the bet a few years later when visitors to Nouakchott International Film Festival grew from 30 people in the first edition to 3,000 in its 7th edition.

Ab continues to instill the culture of volunteering in his society through his awareness campaigns that tackle different issues from environment and philanthropy to cancer and other prevalent health issues in the African society.