A Story Left Behind

A researcher discovers the fragmented story of the first Somali woman in the British city of Sheffield and goes on a journey to fill in the gaps.

Having moved to Sheffield from Somalia at 11, Najma feels like many migrants: straddling two worlds yet disconnected from both.

She discovers a short storybook in the Sheffield Library written by Halima, a Somali woman who arrived in the UK in 1956. The information creates a limited, fragmented, and deeply sombre narrative. 

A Story Left Behind follows Najma as she tries to fill in the gaps in Halima's story, exploring the contradictions of what Halima recorded of her life and what she omitted. Through the process, Najma embarks on a journey of self-discovery. 

The film celebrates Sheffield's vibrant Somali community while discussing the universal importance of archiving cultural history as an anchor for future generations.