For Sama is a new mother’s love letter to her infant daughter – a personal and emotional missive from experiences in Aleppo, Syria. In 2011, the film’s director Waad al-Kateab is an emerging journalist who begins to film the increasing unrest. The camera becomes her ally, recording the siege on the city, and the selfless actions of her husband and many other Syrians who stayed in the besieged city and kept the hospital running in order to help the victims of the attacks. At the same time she is also a mother who has to face a decision – leave Syria to save her child’s life, or continue to fight for the freedom for which so much has already been sacrificed.

In 2019 the film received the Cannes Film Festival L’Œil d’or award for Best Documentary, as well as jury awards at other well-known festivals – Hot Docs (Canada) and SXSW (USA). For Sama has been highly rated not only by film professionals, but also the public – receiving audience awards in at least ten festivals in Europe, the USA and Asia.