In conversation with Salma Labib: graduate filmmaker and editor

Thank you! I wasn’t expecting to get a first, it was a real surprise! I'm really bad with celebrating achievements, so it happened and I was like, OK, now I need to move on, now I need to get a job.

I did take a moment with my family when they came for graduation. That was nice. I have three younger siblings that I'm really close to. I also had family from California fly over as well as some family friends that had moved from Dubai to Ringwood that my parents hadn’t seen for a long time, so they came as well. There was 11 of us all together, quite the reunion!

I was in my second year when we made Time Between Us and it’s since been nominated for, and won, multiple awards across the country, including two BIFA Qualifying Awards – which is especially exciting as it was a second-year project, not a graduation piece.

When it came to making my graduate film, Ayomikun, an international film about a British Nigerian girl and her grandma, the story really resonated with me from a cultural perspective, but also because I shared a similar experience with my grandmother passing from cancer and I felt really connected with the character. I'm so glad this was my grad film; I feel like this is what I came to film school wanting to achieve.

And I’m thrilled to say that I’ve just found out that Ayomikun has been nominated at the Bournemouth International Film Festival for Student Short Film and International Short Film! Bournemouth International Film Festival is a brand-new festival happening this October, so it’s really exciting to be selected for its first year!

Although my degree specialism was in post-production, I’m also passionate about other aspects of filmmaking such as script supervising and producing. Early in my studies, I was often told that I wouldn’t be taken seriously if I didn’t focus on one niche. By the end of my course at AUB, I realised that my versatility is one of my greatest strengths, and I plan to keep exploring different elements of filmmaking rather than fitting into a box.

Producing-wise, I've done some work on personal projects. There's a film I've produced and edited called Small I’s which I’ve submitted for a few festivals – it’s too early to know how it’s done – although I do know that it’s also been selected into Bournemouth International Film Festival for Student Short Film and International Short Film, which is just amazing. I can’t believe I have two films in the same festival!

While I was in sixth form, I looked through all of the course specifications of every university I was considering. AUB stood out to me and became my number one choice. I didn’t actually get onto the film course to start with and was offered a place in Foundation.

The International team encouraged and helped me to apply through clearing and then I got into BA (Hons) Film Production through clearing. I’m really glad I persevered and got on the course, because I might not have been where I am today if I hadn’t taken that leap and had given up when I didn’t initially get in.

Most of my peers stayed in Dubai and studied things like law or business. Aside from my peers though, there’s plenty of students that are younger than me from my school that have come to AUB since!

I went to sixth form at Sunmarke School Dubai, where I took the media course that led me to study film. I often get invited back to speak to the students and I tell them how they can go and study film. They always ask lots of questions about my own journey and I tell them about AUB and then they come to AUB as well – I should be on commission!

My grandmother owned a nursery in Egypt and used to edit photos and slideshows for parents on her laptop all the time and I was always interested in what she was doing and watching how she did it. She was also the one that introduced me to films. My first memory of watching films is with her. We watched things like The Sound of Music, Shrek and The Princess Diaries. And then I also watched a lot of music videos growing up.

I started playing around with iMovie and making really silly things and then I was like, wait, this is actually kind of fun. Then I heard about a media course you can do in sixth form, so I changed schools because mine didn't offer this.

I really struggled with my mental health at school, especially through my GCSEs. Discovering film through my media teachers in sixth form completely changed my life. Their encouragement helped me unlock a creative drive I didn’t know I had, and I owe them so much for helping me find this path. That turning point ultimately led me to AUB, where I graduated with a first-class honours degree.

When I was researching universities, I was immediately drawn to AUB’s course structure and knew it was the right fit for me. It turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made; the campus, the course, and the community were exactly what I was looking for.

The International Office at AUB was also a huge support during my time there, especially as navigating visas can be a real hurdle.

There have been lots of big differences coming to Bournemouth and to the UK, especially the weather! Autumn is definitely my favourite time of year now; I love how refreshing it is compared to the heat and humidity back home.

Coming from big cities like Cairo and Dubai, Bournemouth’s nice because it’s small, quiet and full of nature – in comparison to those cities anyhow! I’d never seen massive fields or forests before, and all the wildlife that goes with the nature. I’d never seen squirrels, wild ponies or foxes before, and I get really excited whenever I see them and my friends always laugh!

I was really homesick in the first year, but now I love it and really want to stay. I worked throughout university to save up for the Graduate Route Visa which allows me to stay in the UK for two more years. Beyond that, sponsorship is rare in the film industry, so my future is uncertain, but my hope is to find a way to continue my career here.

Looking forward, I hope to create authentic films that portray cultures truthfully. During my time at AUB, I wrote a number of essays about how Western film and TV have often misrepresented cultures – particularly Arabs – by relying on stereotypes. As a filmmaker, my goal is to challenge those narratives and show the real side of my culture, which I am proud of, through work that is genuine, respectful and resonant.

I’ve broken many stereotypes and expectations placed on me. I’m committed to living authentically and hopefully inspiring others to do the same.

I now live in London, have already started working on projects, and remain deeply grateful for my experience at AUB. I hope my story will inspire others – especially those from similar backgrounds to mine – to pursue their creative ambitions.

I’ve also started a film-focused social media account to document my journey and to connect with other Arab/brown girls who might feel hesitant to pursue creative dreams.