Gifts are gifts, and not everyone has the same level of awesome skills. And one of the most powerful, transformative, and healing ways to use this gift is through storytelling. Storytelling is not just entertainment. It’s about communication. It’s about truth. It’s about your own life. For centuries, stories have shaped the world. They serve to educate, inspire, preserve culture, and connect people with different origins, backgrounds, and perspectives.
Today, we continue this long and sacred tradition. We use our talents to tell stories, stories about life in all its complex beauty. Happiness, pain, suffering, laughter, small and big moments everything that makes us human. Whether we’re telling these stories in film, theater, literature, or performance, we keep them alive. We don’t just shoot scenes and dialogue; you share them. We create a mirror where everyone sees themselves, hears themselves and feels seen and heard.
The purpose of our work is to entertain, but more than that, to reflect reality, inspire thought and promote healing. Our stories make us laugh, make us cry, question us, hope, and sometimes change things. They help us feel less lonely. They give us the courage to face our challenges. They bring an understanding of complex issues. They’re breaking the stereotype. They bridge gaps between generations, races, religions, and cultures. That’s the power of journalism.
As beautiful as it is and in our work, a lot of people still don’t understand. They watch us filmmakers, writers, actors, directors, dancers, spoken-word artists, content creators and they connect with us. They see fun and games. They saw the theatre, the costumes, the lights and the cameras. And so they think it’s not hard work. They think we are wasting time. That we have to get to a real job. That we must stop chasing the shadow and evolve.
But the reality is that our work is real. It’s not just a job, it’s a calling. It is hard work that requires discipline, thought, and commitment. It takes time, sleepless nights, emotional vulnerability, and constant growth. And beyond the technical and artistic endeavor, there is a deeper truth: stories shape the mind. They form hearts. They form societies. Stories make or break nations. They can be powerful or submissive, enlightened or seductive. Every movement throughout history has been informed by stories. Every belief system, every culture, every worldview is informed by stories.
When children listen to bedtime stories, they begin to understand their place in the world. When teens watch violent movies, it can change how they view themselves or others. When the audience sees their truth on screen, they feel appreciated. When a forgotten group is given a voice in a film or play, they feel respected. When a nation is in turmoil, stories are often the only hope.
So no, we didn’t do anything. We’re doing something meaningful. We are keeping the human spirit alive in a noisy, digital and ever changing world. You tell important stories. We try to continue that tradition and remind people of where they came from and what built them. We create happiness and spread hope. We say what we don’t say, we reinforce what we don’t hear. In the eyes of others, work isn't always considered serious because it's more than just a briefcase or a suit and tie. It's not always recognized by traditional institutions or celebrated by the general public. But we know the value of our work. We know the power of a well-told story. And we know the impact it can have because we've experienced it ourselves.
We've seen people come up to us with tears in their eyes after a performance and say, "That story changed my life." We've seen young people feel inspired to pursue their dreams after witnessing a figure rise from obscurity to fame. We've seen cultures reborn, dialects preserved, and traditions honored—all because someone told an important story.
Our work is deeply responsible. It's not just about being creative, but also about being truthful. It's not just about art, it's about service to others. When we pick up a pen, a camera, a script, or a costume, we enter a sacred space. We shape the way people perceive the world and themselves. We influence thinking and develop empathy. We remind people of their humanity.
We offer patience to those who don't understand. We understand that not everyone sees the world through the same prism. But we also hope that one day more people will recognize the power and necessity of storytelling. Because the world isn't just shaped by laws, policies, or leaders, but by the stories we tell and believe in.
Don't underestimate this work. Think about the most unforgettable moments of your life. Weren't they shaped by the stories you've heard, the films you've seen, the songs you loved, the characters you've identified with? Think of times when you were down and a story gave you strength. Think of times when the laughter of a performance eased your pain. That's the power of storytelling. It's not just hot air, it's fire.
That's why we keep going. That's why we keep creating despite doubts, lack of support, criticism, challenges, and misunderstandings. Because we believe in the power of what we do. We believe in the meaning of our work. And we believe in the people we reach, even if we never meet them in person.
To our storytellers: Keep up the good work! Whether you're writing scripts in your small room, performing in front of ten people, filming with a borrowed camera, or editing late into the night, know that your work matters. Your talent is a gift, and the world needs your voice. You are part of a long line of changemakers. You are not alone, and you are not stupid for following your passion.
And to everyone who supports us: Thank you. Thank you for understanding our vision. Thank you for believing in us. Your encouragement, your feedback, your patience: They sustain us and allow us to grow. We don't take them for granted.
In summary, storytelling isn't just entertainment. It's education, therapy, resistance, celebration, and transformation. We don't just tell stories: we shape the future. We don't just pass the time: we sow seeds. We don't just dream: we creatively document history. And as long as we breathe and have fire in our lungs, we will continue this work.
Because stories matter. People matter. And that's how we serve the world: with talent, truth, and love.
Thank you for your time.