Mary Ayubi

Mary Ayubi is widely recognized as one of Afghanistan’s most influential documentary filmmakers and video journalists, whose work has given voice to women living under the shadow of war and repression. One of just ten Afghan women trained as camera operators by the French NGO AINA, Ayubi initially studied medicine at Kabul University, but was forced to abandon her studies after two years due to persistent gender discrimination.

Transitioning to journalism, Ayubi became an outspoken advocate for women’s rights, working as a freelance reporter for international news agencies, hosting radio programs, and publishing numerous articles on the situation of Afghan women. She gained international attention with her work on Afghanistan Unveiled (2003), the first documentary about Afghan women made by Afghan women. As a camera operator and interviewer, Ayubi traveled across the country to document the stories of women under Taliban rule, helping to bring their experiences to global audiences.

Ayubi went on to co-direct Shadows (2010), an autobiographical documentary that blends personal diary entries with the broader search for women’s rights in Afghanistan. The film was selected for the National Geographic All Roads Film Project and screened internationally. Because of her involvement in these films and her activism, Ayubi received repeated threats from the Taliban and local warlords, ultimately forcing her to flee Afghanistan in 2007.

With support from Reporters Without Borders and as a Feuchtwanger Fellow at Villa Aurora, Ayubi resettled in Los Angeles, where she continues to live and work with her family. Her films and advocacy remain a testament to the courage of Afghan women fighting for human rights and press freedom, ensuring that their stories are seen and heard around the world.