With a 98% Average, “Ma’al” Documentary Earns High Honors for Sana’a University Media Students

Sana’a, Yemen | May 4, 2026

A graduation project by female students from Department of Radio and Television at Sana’a University’s Faculty of Mass Communication achieved a distinguished milestone today, earning a grade of Excellence with Honors and an average of 98%. The award-winning documentary, titled Ma’al: A Journey from Clouds to Vineyards, was showcased during a public defense held at the Faculty’s main auditorium.

The judging committee praised the high technical caliber of the production, noting that it serves as a proud example of the Faculty’s academic output. They highlighted the students’ ability to deliver purposeful social messages that inspire hope and perseverance despite challenging circumstances.

A Story of Resilience: From the Skies to the Soil

The documentary employs a professional cinematic style to tell the inspiring story of a Yemeni civil pilot. After the conflict disrupted his career in aviation, he refused to surrender to circumstance, instead launching a private venture in the cultivation and marketing of grapes under the brand “Original Grapes.” The film captures his human journey, documenting a transition from navigating the “clouds” as a pilot to nurturing the “vineyards” on the ground.

Visual Mastery and Directorial Vision

The students were commended for their deep visual storytelling, which relied on professional preparation and precise execution to create a realistic and moving narrative. The committee concluded that Ma’al transcends the boundaries of a typical academic project, describing it as a “human document” that embodies the will of the Yemeni people to transform adversity into opportunity.