Eiman Yousif

Eiman Yousif
إيمان يوسف
Born
Eiman Yousif Hassan Madani

Khartoum, Sudan
EducationUniversity of Khartoum
Known forGoodbye Julia

Eiman Yousif (Arabic: إيمان يوسف), is a Sudanese actor, singer, songwriter, and human rights activist. She became known for playing the character Mona in the award-winning 2023 drama film Goodbye Julia, directed by Mohamed Kordofani.

Early life and education

Born on 17 December 1992 in Khartoum, Eiman Yousif earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from the School of Management Studies at the University of Khartoum.

During her time as a student, Eiman was a member of the faculty choir.[citation needed]

Career

It was on social media that Mohamed Kordofani first encountered Eiman, in a viral live video in which she was singing in one of her private concerts at Someet Gallery in Khartoum. Although she was not a professional actor, he later cast her in the drama film Goodbye Julia where she played the co-lead character, Mona. She also recorded one of the movie's main soundtracks, Tell me how? (Arabic: قول لي كيف, romanized: Gol Ley Kef), which also features Sudanese rapper, Nile.

As a singer and composer, she released her single "Where is The Dream" expressing her sentiments about the deteriorating political situation in Sudan following the revolution. She was also one of the leading voices in the 2024 musical collaboration "We Stay Well Together" 2024 musical collaboration, advocating for peaceful coexistence in Sudan. Drawing attention to violations of children's rights during the ongoing war in her homeland, she participated in Unite with the Children of Sudan Conference organized by Save the Children, USAID, and UNICEF in Nairobi, where she contributed with her song "Inta Altreeg" ("You're the Path").

Other activities

She was part of the Bait Al Oud Orchestra, which performed in Sudan and internationally.

Eiman found herself in the public sphere when a photo of her participating in a demonstration went viral, becoming an iconic image of the 2018 Sudanese revolution. She has become an activist for human rights, HIV/AIDS, violence against women and children, and peace.

She sat on a jury panel of the Aswan International Women's Film Festival in April 2024.

Personal life

Following the outbreak of war in Sudan, which began in Khartoum, Eiman was forced to leave her home after the filming of Goodbye Julia. Along with two sisters and their children, she travelled through Dongola and Wadi Halfa to Cairo, Egypt. She was unable to attend international screenings of Goodbye Julia, as she may not be able to return to Egypt if she left, and she could not return to Sudan. Her family home in Khartoum was robbed by the Rapid Support Forces after their departure.

Recognition and awards

Goodbye Julia scooped Sudan's first-ever international nomination at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, winning the Prix de la Liberté (Freedom Award).

In 2024 Yousif won an award at the Arab Radio and TV Festival Tunisia.[failed verification]. She also received Special Mentions at the IFF Art Film in Košice, Slovakia, and the Rotterdam Arab Film Festival.

Eiman was featured as a participant in the 2026 Berlinale Talents participants at the 2026 Berlin Film Festival, selected as one of 200, out of 3,438 applications from 120 countries.

Awards
Award Year Category Movie Result Ref.
Dakhla Film Festival 2024 Best Female Performance Goodbye Julia Won
Critics Awards for Arab Films 2024 Best Actress Goodbye Julia Nominated
Muslim International Film Festival 2023 Best Actor Goodbye Julia Won [failed verification]
Cyprus International Film Festival 2023 Best Leading Actress in a First Feature Film Goodbye Julia Won [failed verification]

References

  1. 1 2 "Beyond acting: Sudanese actress Eiman Yousif's many talents - Culture - Al-Ahram Weekly". Ahram Online. Retrieved 24 June 2026. [dead link]
  2. 1 2 Metwaly, Ati (4 June 2024). "Beyond acting: Sudanese actress Eiman Yousif's many talents". Ahram Online. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  3. ↑ Whitney, Nadine (1 April 2024). "Goodbye Julia Director Mohamed Kordofani Talks About the Possibility of Change and Hope in This Interview". The Curb... Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  4. ↑ Goodfellow, Melanie (27 September 2023). "Oscars: Sudan Submits 'Goodbye Julia' For Best International Feature Film". Deadline. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  5. ↑ Mazin Hamid (31 December 2023). Gol Ley Kef – Eiman Yousif & Niile (Goodbye Julia) | قول لي كيف – إيمان يوسف و نايل (وداعاَ جوليا). Retrieved 20 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  6. ↑ Eiman Yousif (5 February 2024). Wain Alhilim – Eiman Yousif | وين الحلم – إيمان يوسف. Retrieved 2 October 2024 – via YouTube.
  7. ↑ نبقى بخير سوا 2024-Nabqa Bikhair Sawa' (We Stay Well Together). 1 January 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024 – via YouTube.
  8. ↑ "Elder Paul B. Pieper Speaks at Unite with the Children of Sudan Event in Nairobi". news-africa.churchofjesuschrist.org. 28 June 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  9. ↑ Eiman Yousif (28 September 2024). Inta Altreeg (You're the Path) – Eiman Yousif & Nile | إنت الطريق – إيمان يوسف و نايل. Retrieved 2 October 2024 – via YouTube.
  10. 1 2 Wagner, Amuna (15 April 2024). "Why are Sudanese Artists Struggling in Egypt's Creative Scene?". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  11. ↑ Norbrook, Nicholas (14 May 2019). "Sudan's Revolutionary Women". The African Report. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  12. 1 2 3 "Jan 09, 2026 The Berlinale Talents Participants, Jury of the Berlinale Talents Mastercard Enablement Programme and New Short Film Contest The Dream Makers". Berlinale. 9 January 2026. Retrieved 27 July 2026. with activism in the fields of HIV/AIDS, violence against women and children; and advancing peace
  13. 1 2 Yousif, Eiman (10 May 2024). "'I want to keep dreaming,' says Sudanese actress Eiman Yousif". The Africa Report (Interview). Interviewed by Metwaly, Ati. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  14. ↑ Metwaly, Ati (10 May 2024). "'I want to keep dreaming,' says Sudanese actress Eiman Yousif". The African Report. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  15. ↑ "Cannes 2023: Sudan makes history with first ever selection". Esquire Middle East. 13 April 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  16. ↑ "The 20th session of the Arab Radio and TV Festival". www.asbufestival.com. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  17. ↑ Press, AFF (27 June 2024). "The Blue Angel for the Best Feature Film of the 30th Art Film IFF was awarded to the emotional Sudanese drama Goodbye, Julia". IFF ART FILM. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  18. ↑ "Mohamed Kordofani on Instagram: "Goodbye Julia just won The Blue Angel Award for Best Feature Film at the IFF Art Film in Kosice, Slovakia as well as a special mention to Eiman Yousif & Siran Riak for their outstanding performance in the film."". Instagram. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  19. ↑ Arab Cinema Center (4 June 2024). "Dazzling in the spotlight, Arab cinema shines brightly at the Rotterdam Arab Film Festival! A round of applause for the visionary filmmakers and their captivating stories that have captured our hearts.... Special Mention - Best Actress: Eiman Yousef for Goodbye Julia..." Instagram. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  20. ↑ Dakhla Film Festival (11 June 2024). "@dakhla @Maroc @cine_maroc @cinema @filmlong @presse @saharamedia @egypt_cinema" – via Instagram.
  21. ↑ Arab Cinema Center (14 May 2024). "Embodying Strength and Grace: Meet the Best Actress Nominees!" – via Instagram.
  22. ↑ "Films". Miff. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  23. ↑ "Home". CYIFF – Cyprus International Film Festival. Retrieved 7 March 2024.