Introduction and Background
![]()
Samah: Hi, my name is Samah Damanhoori. I came to the U.S in 2014 from Saudi Arabia on a Saudi scholarship to study at Notre Dame de Namur, Belmont, CA. I was doing great at school when, in 2016, without warning Mahram (male-guardian) decided to cancel my scholarship and ordered me under threats of violence, to return home. My new friends, the Bay Area provided me with housing, food, a car, boxing classes, and paid off my university tuition. They also hired a lawyer, and I was granted asylum in 2018. With much gratitude, I was able to complete my Master's in creative writing in 2017.
Now, I am working on this beautiful animated short film, as well as a VR project "Souvenir," about my experience. These days I also work as a producer at Apple. I produced an HBO documentary highlighting two Saudi women escaping from Turkey in 2019. I was part of the Freedom Drive campaign that won the right to travel for Saudi women. I am actively speaking at public events, educating young students about women’s lives in the Middle East, where male guardians make life decisions over women.
![]()
Eun Bi: Hi! My name is Eun Bi, I am originally from South Korea, and I am the Producer/ Director/ Writer of Madina Papel. I majored in Animation and worked as a 2D animator/ freelance storyboard artist prior to making Paper City (Madina Papel). I serve as an animation teacher at an afterschool program in San Francisco, and as events lead for a VR/XR community.
![]()
Artwork: Janel Traver
The story of Madina Papel (Paper City)
In the city of paper, experiencing anything other than what is in the colorless city walls is forbidden and highly punishable. When one citizen returns to the homeland, marked with the spectrum of colors, they are faced with their family's wrath as they struggle to accept this new reality.
Why the story is important for us
Samah: As I mentioned in the video, my main goal with this short film is to build a bridge back to my family, to start a conversation again. To let them know I still have the same love and respect for them no matter how they perceive me. Furthermore, this film is for the survivors of domestic violence, refugees, and other people like me who have left their loved ones for the sake of finding their true selves. The film will empower people not to be afraid to accept change. In the bigger scheme of things, we believe the story will bring up meaningful discussions that will bring change for young women in the Middle East.
Eun Bi: For me, the story of Paper City (Madina Papel) resonates deeply with me as I relate to the feelings of wanting to be accepted despite my differences. Even though I’m Korean, I was raised in New Zealand, the United States and Korea. Experiencing different cultures while growing up definitely has perks but also provokes confusion. I didn’t feel as though I belonged in any one culture, and that made me feel lost at times. Now, however, I embrace my multicultural background and understand that it’s okay to be different, and this is the story we are telling in this film.
![]()
What your help means to us and our film
Supporting our film means you are supporting, not only women filmmakers, but also the voices of many marginalized groups of people. You are being part of the change in Saudi Arabia, and an on-going peaceful revolution in the Middle East for women’s rights and the global fight against domestic violence.
The Impact
We believe in the power of visual storytelling. We look forward to screening our film and talking to audiences about their own experiences of violence and marginalization, and even more importantly, their stories of survival and healing. Also, having a short film produced by two minority women, and having it available for people in the Middle East to watch is revolutionary. It will provide a new perspective and hope for young women in the Middle East.
What We Need
We need $10,000 for moving forward into production.
$7800 for Stop motion AND 2D digital animation, character design, compositing, and editing.
$1200 for music and sound design
$1000 for paying our attorney and other film production logistics
BraveMaker
![]()
Every donation made to Madina Papel is tax-deductible through our fiscal sponsor BraveMaker. BraveMaker is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization that seeks to elevate brave stories for diversity and inclusion in the Bay Area.
To find out more about BraveMaker please visit:
https://www.bravemaker.com/
![]()
Risks & Challenges
Our biggest challenge is fundraising so your contribution to this campaign really matters to us. We are confident in our work as artists and are willing to face our fears about fundraising to get this story out.
We know from Samah's public speaking events that people are becoming more and more aware of the problems in the Middle East and are very interested in learning ways to help make a change. We have poured our passion and time into bringing the project to where it is now, and we are determined to finish it.
Other Ways You Can Help
If you cannot support us financially, there are still ways you can help!
- Please share the link of our campaign on social media, and to friends and family. Getting the word out is really helpful to us.
- Feel free to share our video/ beautiful arts (character design, concept arts, as long as the source is acknowledged as Madina Papel Animation)
- Like us on Facebook!
- Follow us on Instagram & Twitter!
What happens if we don't reach our entire goal?
Even if we don't reach our entire goal, the contribution will still go to our production (stop-motion and 2D animator, compositor, and editor). We will keep fundraising until we are finished with the film!
Curious about our perk names?
Ma’amoul is a traditional Middle Eastern cookie made with dates. In the film, Ghufran brings a box home for the family.
Duduk and Oud are Armenian and Middle Eastern Instruments. They are featured in our film scores created by our wonderful composer, Aftab Hafeez.
Colorful Airplane is an important item in the film which helps bridge the gap between Ghufran and his father.
![]()
Thank you!
