“Don’t Tell Me You’re Afraid” Featured at 2024 Tribeca Film Festival

The only Italian film showing at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, “Don’t Tell Me You’re Afraid,” got a special mention in the Best International Narrative Competition.

Directed by Yasemin Şamdereli and co-written with Deka Mohamed Osman, the film tells the true story of Somali athlete Samia Yusuf Omar. Portrayed by Ilham Mohamed Osman, the narrative follows Samia’s extraordinary running talent and dream of competing in the Olympics. Tragically, Samia never made it to the Olympics, as she drowned on April 2, 2012 in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Lampedusa. 

Commended for its “touching and human exploration” (La Voce di New York, 2024) of refugees, the film received high praise from Daniel Battsek,Asghar Farhadi, and Fiona Shaw who also applauded the outstanding performances by the cast. Furthermore, the director described the film to be her “most intimate project” (La Voce di New York, 2024) of the last six years.

Samia’s achievements inspire and highlight her unique story behind the headlines. “Don’t Tell Me You’re Afraid” stands as a powerful symbol of the human spirit and the pursuit of one’s dreams, even in the face of adversity.

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“Don’t Tell Me You’re Afraid” at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival

– Sofie Lumaco