Abdisalam Aato facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Abdisalam Aato عبد السلام عاتو
Born	1976 (age 48–49) Mogadishu, Somalia
Nationality	American
Occupation	Film director, producer, entrepreneur, media consultant
Years active	2000s–present

Abdisalam Aato (Somali: Cabdisalaan Caato; Arabic: عبد السلام عاتو) is a talented Somali-American film director and producer. He was born in 1976. He also works as an entrepreneur and a media consultant. Abdisalam Aato started a company called Olol Films. This company is very important in the Somaliwood movement, which is a big part of the Somali film industry.

Who is Abdisalam Aato?

Early Life and Moving to America

Abdisalam Aato was born in the 1970s in Mogadishu. This city is the capital of Somalia. In the early 1990s, a civil war began in Somalia. Because of this, Abdisalam had to leave his home.

In 1993, he moved to Kenya. He lived in a refugee camp near Mombasa for more than three years. In 1996, Abdisalam Aato came to the United States. His brother invited him to come live there.

He first settled in Atlanta, Georgia, with his family. Later, in 2001, he moved to Columbus, Ohio. Many Somali people live in Columbus. It is now his main home. Abdisalam Aato is married. He says his wife inspires him a lot in his work.

Making Movies and More

While living in Georgia, Abdisalam Aato began his career in broadcasting. He worked as a radio announcer. This was at a local TV station called Media One. He started by writing short movie scripts. Then, he began writing full-length movies.

After gaining experience, Aato started his own company. It is called Olol Films. This company is based in Columbus, Ohio. Olol Films is a key part of the Somaliwood movement. This movement is a new way of making films in the Somali film industry.

In 2003, he released his first full-length Somali movie. It was called Rajo. The word Rajo means "Hope." This movie was an action drama. It was about a young Somali refugee. It was a big production, even using a helicopter and fancy cars!

Rajo was shown to full audiences in theaters. It played in Ohio and Minneapolis. This movie is now known as the first film in the Somaliwood movement. It also made Columbus a major place for Somali films. These films are made by people living outside Somalia.

By 2007, Abdisalam Aato had produced, written, and directed nine feature films and documentaries. He works closely with his wife on all his film projects. She gives him advice and ideas to make his movies better.

Abdisalam Aato also created Bartamaha. This is a website about Somali music, short films, news, and culture. He also hosts a weekly TV and online show. It is called the Wargelin Show. This show talks about Somali politics and society. Since 2013, Aato has also worked as a Senior Media Advisor. This is for the Federal Government of Somalia.

Movies by Abdisalam Aato

• Rajo (2003)
• Xaaskayga Araweelo (2006)
• Ambad (2011)

See also

In Spanish: Abdisalam Aato para niños

• Ali Said Hassan
• Idil Ibrahim
• Cinema of Somalia