TU Dublin Hosts Two Powerful Human Rights Film Screenings with Phibsboro For All

Published: Wed Dec 10 2025 - 16:47

TU Dublin was proud to welcome members of the public, students, staff and community partners to two powerful and well-attended film screenings at the Grangegorman campus as part of its ongoing collaboration with Phibsboro For All and the Phibsboro Film Society.

On Monday, 8 December, TU Dublin hosted a special screening of A Girl from Mogadishu, the acclaimed film inspired by the life of Irish-Somali activist Ifrah Ahmed, a survivor of female genital mutilation (FGM) who transformed her personal trauma into a global movement for justice and change.

The film follows Ifrah, portrayed by Aja Naomi King, as she escapes a forced marriage in Somalia in 2006, survives trafficking, and arrives in Ireland, where an asylum medical examination uncovers the violence she endured as a child. Refusing to remain silent, she channels her experiences into activism, ultimately emerging as one of the world’s leading voices in the campaign to end FGM.

Directed by Mary McGuckian, the film highlights not only the trauma of FGM, but also the immense power of individual courage in challenging harmful practices, advocating for survivors and driving systemic change. Winner of the Cinema for Peace Women’s Empowerment Award at the 2020 Berlin Film Festival, the screening offered a meaningful opportunity for reflection during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

Chaired by writer and film critic Mutale Kampuni, the event drew a large and engaged audience and was followed by a compelling discussion with Dr Ifrah Ahmed, whose insights further deepened the impact of the evening. TU Dublin was also pleased to welcome former Minister Joe Costello and former MEP and Lord Mayor Emer Costello to the screening. Both Joe and Emer, portrayed in the film by Stanley Townsend and Orla Brady, have been long-standing supporters of Ifrah’s campaign and they shared their personal reflections on the challenges and successes of advocating for change. Their presence provided a powerful bridge between the film’s story and the wider community engagement it inspires.

Building on this commitment to social awareness and human rights, TU Dublin also hosted the successful Irish premiere of Another Summer in November. This moving documentary shares the stories of Afghan and Ukrainian refugees across Europe, told through their own eyes.

Created by refugees, about refugees, Another Summer emerged from an innovative project in which the film’s directors trained and equipped a group of first-time Afghan and Ukrainian filmmakers, many of whom had themselves sought safety across Europe following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Working in small teams across seven cities in Europe and Turkey, these filmmakers captured deeply personal accounts of displacement, resilience and hope. The screening attracted a strong audience and was followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring Director Alžběta Kovandová-Bartoníčková, Hussain Behtaash, and Yelena Cannon.

TU Dublin looks forward to continued collaboration with Phibsboro For All and the Phibsboro Film Society, with plans already underway to bring more impactful and socially relevant screenings to the campus in 2026.

Dr Brian Murphy, TU Dublin Government and Community Advocacy Lead, said:

“At TU Dublin, we see our campus as part of a wider community, one that thrives when we listen, learn and come together. These events brought students, staff and neighbours into the same space to engage with stories that matter deeply, encouraging reflection and dialogue. We are proud to host these screenings and look forward to building on this partnership in 2026.”

Ken McCue, from Phibsboro for All, said:

“We are grateful to TU Dublin for their generous support and welcome. These screenings bring communities together, spark meaningful conversations and amplify important voices. From Ifrah’s courage to the creativity of the refugee filmmakers behind Another Summer, these stories inspire empathy and understanding. We look forward to continuing this work with TU Dublin to engage and empower our community in the years ahead.”