The Democratization of the Sudanese Art Scene

The digital revolution has facilitated the democratization of Sudan’s art and cultural scene, particularly the re-vitalized film industry, notwithstanding lingering economic and political sanctions.

by Omnia Shawkat

Despite its political isolation and an armed conflict that has raged for much of the last forty years, Sudan has not been left unaffected by the global technological boom. Digital environments, like the Internet, have allowed for relatively free, creative dissent and the sharing of sensitive information in the country, notwithstanding the government’s best efforts.

Most notably, new, cheap technologies have allowed artists and cultural institutes in Sudan to acquire and teach skills that were, until fairly recently, unavailable in the country. This digital revolution has facilitated the democratization of Sudan’s art and cultural scene, notwithstanding the economic and political sanctions on the country. These trends have been particularly evident in the re-vitalized Sudanese film industry.