Stas Natanzon is a journalist and documentary storyteller who spent more than twenty years covering international politics and global events before creating Yalla, an independent documentary project that explores the lives of people around the world through raw, unfiltered stories. He is known for immersing himself fully in the environments he documents, capturing perspectives rarely seen in mainstream media.
Through Yalla, Stas has reported from some of the most challenging and unseen corners of society, from infiltrating Mexican cartels and filming in Brazilian favelas to working illegally in South Korea, trading on the black market in Cuba, and investigating elite counterfeit markets in China. His project Pognali goes beyond travel, focusing on empathy, understanding, and connection, telling the stories of street vendors, migrants, and workers whose lives often remain invisible.
At BRIDGE Summit, Stas will reflect on immersive storytelling, how to build trust in difficult environments, and why documenting ordinary lives is essential for a more honest view of the world.
In a world where content shapes identity, what makes audiences feel they belong? This session explores how creators and producers design connection through storytelling, community, and emotion. Featuring Stas Natanzon and Mohamad Hosam, the conversation unpacks how digital storytelling, humor, and culture-building turn viewers into participants. Together, they reveal how creators can craft spaces online or off that feel human, inclusive, and unforgettable.
Stories live beyond the screen, they take shape in the environments where they are made, encountered, and felt. From intimate, character-driven sketches to raw, on-the-ground journeys and cross-regional media, the spaces around storytelling influence how people find meaning and belonging. This conversation explores how creative contexts, from digital platforms to real-world settings, create resonance, and how craft and distribution can turn storytelling into a shared space where people feel seen and connected across cultures.
Presenter and Producer, ET Bil Arabi
Advisor, European Commission
Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
Co-founder, Sard Media Group
CEO, YABA
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“We're excited to partner with BRIDGE to create meaningful opportunities for creators and innovators”
