Mosaic Mobile 2023: Celebrating Nuha Hussein's Journey in Digital Storytelling

The Mosaic Mobile film competition is a platform for student filmmakers to showcase their talents and creativity using only their mobile devices. This year, Mosaic Film Experience shines the spotlight on first place Mosaic Mobile winner Nuha Hussein, a junior at East Kentwood High School.  

Nuha’s short film "Tell Me More" stood out among a remarkable array of entries, with the 2023 Mosaic Mobile film competition receiving 45 submissions from students across 10 Michigan high schools. Her winning submission earned her a $1,000 cash prize and on-stage recognition in front of nearly 500 area students at the 2023 Mosaic Mobile film competition, which took place at the 2023 Mosaic Event at Celebration! Cinema North on November 2. 

The Mosaic Film Experience’s work of bridging the gap between classroom learning and career opportunities resonated with Nuha. Having already experimented with making short films at home, she saw Mosaic Mobile as her next step into the professional realm of filmmaking.

The 2023 Mosaic Mobile competition challenged students to weave the theme of 'Transformation,' use of a 'bag(s)' as a prop, and saying, "Tell me more" into their films. Nuha approached these elements with deep introspection. 

She explored the symbolic and literal aspects of a bag. This concept dovetailed with the theme of transformation, as depicted in her film through the journey of a young girl seeking to understand more about herself.

"A bag is something that holds your memories and possessions that are important to you. I wanted to transform that meaning with a personal purpose. The girl in the film is seeking and adventuring through forests and nature, finding her purpose, and wanting to know more about herself and what she is capable of through the journeys she goes through," Nuha said.

The narrative jumps to an elderly woman reminiscing about her life. The woman is then revealed as the young girl featured earlier in the film, embodying the essence of transformation. 

Nuha's experience creating "Tell Me More" was a whirlwind of excitement and challenge. With only a week to plan, shoot, and edit, she relied on her intuition and creativity.  

The film was shot in a forest near her apartment, featuring her sister Asmaa and grandmother Carol Naigus. Nuha's approach to filming was organic, capturing moments and elements that resonated with the theme. The post-production editing process involved assembling clips and sound effects on CapCut, complemented by the punk music of Grand Rapids band Underbelly.

Nuha credits much of her inspiration to Xavier Dolan, a director whose work profoundly impacts her filmmaking style. His influence is evident in the emotional depth and visual storytelling of "Tell Me More."

Nuha's primary challenge was conveying a complete and meaningful narrative within a short time frame. She overcame this by focusing on a cohesive theme and letting the visual elements naturally convey the story.

Shifting from traditional camera equipment to an iPhone 13, Nuha adapted her filming and editing techniques to suit the mobile format. This transition opened new avenues for creativity, showing the potential of mobile devices in crafting high-quality films.

The most rewarding part of Nuha's journey was seeing her vision come to life in the final film. The Mosaic Mobile competition has not only bolstered her confidence but also solidified her decision to pursue a career in filmmaking.

"The Mosaic Film Experience really has shifted my thoughts on my future career," said Nuha. "It's given me an extra boost of confidence with a final decision for filmmaking in the future. Seeing the final product come to life was the most memorable thing. It surprised me how my creativity can take me to new bounds of filmmaking."

Nuha's story epitomizes how Mosaic Film Experience is reimagining pathways to creative industries, making the art of storytelling accessible and empowering for students.  

Nuha's message to other students is clear: seize opportunities and express your talents without hesitation. Her success in the 2023 Mosaic Mobile competition is an example for other young creatives, proving that with passion the possibilities are endless.