‘I was just a young Egyptian girl from Scarborough with a lot of heart and courage’

Sara Elgamal, 34, is committed to creating a shared human experience through her camera lens.

Born in Toronto to an Egyptian family, the director and producer studied political science and broadcast journalism. She started her career in advertising before falling in love with film.

“Growing up, I was super passionate about world relations and human issues,” said Elgamal. “I wanted to save the world and I felt compelled to share stories that I felt were overlooked.”

Now, Elgamal is receiving a Special Achievement Award at the ceremony for the 2023 Prism Prize, presented to a Canadian music video professional for exceptional contributions to music video art on a world stage. Through her company, Sarathecamel Productions Ltd. (an ode to her last name, which literally translates to “the camel”), Elgamal has directed music videos for popular Toronto artists like Mustafa the Poet and Savannah Ré, as well as campaigns for brands such as Nike, Adidas and Knix.

“It feels really affirming,” she said. “I look back on the past 10 years and it’s like wow, I really did all that? I was just a young Egyptian girl from Scarborough with a lot of heart and courage who decided to travel the world and follow my dreams.”

An avid traveller with an eye for a story, Elgamal has been on assignments in Cuba, Dubai, Morocco, Japan and the U.K., where she lived for three years freelancing as a producer of documentaries, short films and music videos.

“I like to think of myself as a global citizen,” she said. “Travel is my biggest inspiration and being able to connect with humans around the world is something that inspires me more than anything.”

She said her most memorable project is “A Piece of Me,” a multimedia exhibit, organized by the United Nations, that brought awareness to the risks and long-term complications of female genital mutilation in Ethiopia, a practice that affects more than 65 per cent of girls and women in the country.

“My purpose with my art is to showcase the beauty in humanity,” said Elgamal.

Here, she shares her current cultural obsessions.

Favourite music video: “‘Until the Quiet Comes’ by Flying Lotus, by one of my favourite directors, Kahlil Joseph.”

Last great book you read: “I just finished an amazing book which I think I’ll remember forever: ‘If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English’ by Noor Naga. It’s so cool, interesting and doesn’t follow any rules.”

Playlist essentials: “I tend to go with funk, house and Bossa nova. I’m currently listening to a funk dance band called Social Lovers. They make really fun summer music.”

Can’t-miss TV show: “I really enjoyed ‘Love & Death.’ I thought it was quintessential drama and I love drama!”

A movie you can’t get enough of: “‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.’ It kick-started my dreams to travel and be lost in the world. It’s the only film I’ll watch over and over again.”

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