Large numbers of Syrians have had to leave their country as a result of the constant harassment, arbitrary arrests and killing by the Syrian regime. Many continue to work for the uprising from wherever they are, to deliver the voices of the revolution to the rest of the world and take part in shaping the future of Syria. One of such groups of activists is the Syrian Fingerprint foundation, which established itself in spring 2012.

The group includes activists with media and technical expertise, and professionals of the audiovisual and media field. They started by working on short movies using materials found on Youtube such as videos of the massive demonstrations the country has witnessed since the beginning of the uprising in March 2013. They now produce their own movies, including animation work.

As the activist Medya Daghistaney explained to Syria Untold, the foundation aims to remind viewers of the revolution’s first scream, which was “Freedom and Dignity,” They seek to do so by developing a set of media that can become more and more professional.

Graffiti that reads "Sectarianism was here" on the dark side of the wall, which contrasts with the color and diversity of the rest of the wall. Source of the image: The Syrian Fingerprint Foundation´s website.

Nowadays, the foundation produces television reports, broadcasted on more than one channel, has launched its own radio station, broadcasting on local radio stations inside the country, and cooperates with several magazines in Syria. “We try to cover different aspects of Syria and we have had quite a good followup and feedback so far,” Daghistaney said. “We also collaborate with Syrian creators and artists for joint productions."

The foundation faces similar problems to those hindering many Syrian projects. "We have correspondents on the ground, and they are exposed to constant danger. We recently lost the editor of one of the magazines we cooperate with. He was killed by regime forces, and other media offices have suffered shelling and destruction.” Despite the difficulties, they acknowledge an evolution from amateur to a professional organization. “It feels like a rebirth, we are very excited."

“We are not hopeless romantics and optimists,” Daghistaney admits. “We don´t ignore the circumstances and the difficulties, but we are committed to the same values that we were committed to from the beginning, and we will continue to stand with the same slogan French students used during their revolt:  "Be realistic, ask for the impossible."

Find out more about the Syrian Fingerprint Foundation on their website.