We recently connected with Ashtar Alahmad and have shared our conversation below.
Ashtar, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
My optimism stems from a life-changing experience in 2015. Just four days before my graduation, a missile struck my home in the old city of Damascus. I was severely injured and nearly lost both of my legs. Doctors told me I might never walk again.
But after spending four months in the hospital and undergoing over 25 surgeries, I not only regained the ability to walk but also discovered a deep inner strength I never knew I had. That experience taught me that even in the darkest moments, there’s always hope. It showed me how miracles can happen when we refuse to give up. I learned that we can create those miracles when we are very positive, because we all have a superpower, and we can discover it by focusing on the love and support of the people in our lives. That belief continues to fuel my optimism every day.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a Syrian-born Motion Designer, Animator, and Storyteller based in Barcelona, Spain. I studied Fine Arts at Damascus University and later earned my Master’s in Motion Design from Idep Barcelona. My creative journey has been shaped by both personal resilience and a deep passion for using animation as a tool for change.
That experience in 2015 didn’t just mark a turning point in my life—it became a catalyst for my artistic voice. Receiving my diploma from a hospital bed symbolized more than survival; it ignited my drive to create work that speaks to resilience and unseen narratives. It was also the inspiration behind my animated short Kano 4 and helped me clearly define my mission as an artist: to use animation as a platform for telling the stories of those who are too often unheard.
Today, I focus on creating animated shorts that give voice to stories that are often overlooked—those of refugees, queer people, people with disabilities, and others whose experiences deserve to be seen and heard. Through my work, I explore themes of displacement, identity, feminism, and human rights, blending visual storytelling with emotional truth.
Over the years, I’ve had the chance to collaborate with platforms like HitRecord, Netflix, and Zappos, and my work has been recognized at international festivals including Sundance, OFFF, BlackStar, and LIFT-OFF. Kano 4 was also selected by many other festivals around the world and is now officially available to stream on (watermelon+) the screening platform of Watermelon Pictures.
At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief: animation can be a powerful force for empathy and representation. My goal is not just to tell stories, but to help transform them into voices that resonate, heal, and inspire.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the three qualities that have had the most impact on my journey are passion, determination, and a constant thirst for knowledge.
Passion has always been my compass. It’s what kept me connected to storytelling and animation even in the most difficult moments of my life. When you’re passionate about your work, it doesn’t just carry you through—it fuels your creativity and makes your voice stronger. My advice to anyone early in their journey is to stay connected to why you create. Let your passion guide you, and don’t be afraid to make work that is personal, vulnerable, or deeply rooted in your own truth.
Determination was what carried me through the hardest chapters, especially after 2015. There were so many moments where it would have been easier to give up, but I kept showing up, learning, creating, and pushing forward. If you’re just starting out, remember that setbacks are part of the process. Keep going, even when it’s hard. Your persistence will build the foundation for everything that follows.
And finally, a thirst for knowledge has shaped every stage of my growth. From studying fine arts in Damascus to mastering motion design in Barcelona, I’ve always believed in evolving, both technically and emotionally. Stay curious. Learn from people whose stories are different from yours. Seek out new tools, new collaborators, and new perspectives. It will not only sharpen your skills but also expand your creative impact.
Together, these qualities helped me find my voice, and now my mission is to use that voice to uplift the stories of others who have been marginalized or overlooked. I truly believe that when we create from a place of passion, resilience, and curiosity, we don’t just grow as artists—we create space for others to be seen and heard, too.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
The biggest challenge I’m currently facing is something I think many of us in the creative field struggle with: feeling creatively imprisoned by routine and the limitations of client work. While client-based projects are essential for financial stability, they often come with strict guidelines or messages that we don’t fully connect with. It can be difficult to maintain your artistic voice when you’re constantly navigating someone else’s vision or compromising your creative freedom.
To address this, I’m working on building a creative collective with some of my university professors and colleagues. The idea is to create a space where we can collaborate, share knowledge, and support each other, while also working on self-initiated projects that reflect our values and creative identities. It’s still in its early stages, but the goal is to create a balance: to keep growing professionally, while also carving out room for personal expression and innovation.
I believe that when we come together as a community, we can protect our creative freedom, challenge each other to grow, and build a more sustainable and fulfilling creative practice, one that isn’t entirely shaped by commercial demands.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashtar_al/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashtar-alahmad/
- Other: https://vimeo.com/ashtaralahmad
Image Credits
Emidelpiccolo
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