JANUARY 26 & 27, 2025

577 Main St, Park City, UTAH 84060

Established by the MPAC® Hollywood Bureau in 2021, The Muslim House® stands as a dedicated space elevating American Muslim voices at prestigious American-based entertainment industry festivals. It serves as a platform for vital discussions that hold significance for American Muslim communities. We thank the Doris Duke Foundation, who in 2024 provided us with a generous three-year grant to elevate the profile of The Muslim House® at the Sundance, SXSW, and Tribeca Festivals.

JANUARY 26, 2025

Breakfast Reception

10:00 AM MST

Opening Remarks

11:00 AM MST

SALAM AL-MARAYATI

President & Co-Founder, MPAC®.

SUE OBEIDI

Senior Vice President, MPAC® Hollywood Bureau

ZEYBA RAHMAN

Director of Building Bridges Program, Doris Duke Foundation

Watermelon Pictures: Building Our Power: Community & Creative Resistance

11:30 AM MST

Join us for an intimate conversation with the President of MPAC, Salam Al-Marayati, and Watermelon Pictures’ director of production and acquisitions, Munir Atalla, and Creative Director, Alana Hadid, as they discuss the power of storytelling as a means to reclaim narratives and preserve cultural identity. Watermelon Pictures has been at the forefront of telling authentic Palestinian experiences, bringing untold and often suppressed stories to light, and fostering space for dialogue and understanding. As a pioneer film production and distribution company, Watermelon Pictures is dedicated to amplifying Palestinian voices through bold and compelling storytelling that resonates globally. This fireside chat will be a thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of art, activism, and cultural identity.

SALAM AL-MARAYATI Moderator

Nationally recognized for his commitment to improving the public understanding of Islam and policies impacting American Muslims, Salam is president and co-founder of the Muslim Public Affairs Council. He oversees MPAC’s groundbreaking civic engagement, public policy, and advocacy work.

He is an expert on Islam in the West, Muslim reform movements, human rights, democracy, national security, and Middle East politics. He has spoken at the White House, Capitol Hill and represented the U.S. at international human rights and religious freedom conferences.

MUNIR ATALLA

Munir Atalla is the Head of Production & Acquisitions at Watermelon Pictures. He previously worked at Netflix where he oversaw creative writing strategy for growing and emerging markets. Informed by his background as an investigative reporter, Munir has produced projects for A24, Peacock, and NBC News. His work for PBS Frontline was nominated for a DuPont Award for Journalistic Excellence in 2020.

ALANA HADID

Alana Hadid is a creative director and director of branding for watermelon pictures, where she is focused on changing the narrative for not only Palestinians and Arabs but all marginalized communities. Alana combines her love of human rights advocacy and media to focus on the films that can change how we see the world.

Beyond the Screen: Entertainment’s Role in Shaping Policy

12:15 PM MST

In the face of growing uncertainty and deepening polarization, building strong partnerships between storytellers, advocates, and policymakers is more critical than ever to inspire and accelerate meaningful social change. The entertainment industry has perpetuated harmful stereotypes, particularly in its portrayal of Muslims and other minority communities, leading to widespread misrepresentation and defamation. These distorted narratives have not only shaped public opinion but have also influenced policies that deepen societal divisions.

Join our esteemed speaker line-up as they explore the transformative impact of entertainment, the ethical responsibility of storytellers to represent communities with dignity, and how collaborative efforts can drive policy reform, cultivate understanding, and create lasting positive change for Muslim communities and beyond.

SAFIYA GHORI-AHMAD Moderator

Safiya Ghori-Ahmad is a political strategist and corporate advisor on political risk and global policy. She leads the global public affairs practice at APCO, one of the largest public affairs and global advocacy firms based in Washington, DC. Safiya has served in the Obama administration as a foreign policy advisor to Secretary Clinton and Secretary Kerry, and served as an advisor to the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. She sits on several advisory boards, including the national board of the Muslim Public Affairs Council.

TAREK ALBABA

Tarek Albaba is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker whose work has been featured on major platforms such as National Geographic, History, Discovery, and Apple TV+. Tarek's independent work focuses on stories that explore human rights, historical injustices, and social issues. His feature documentary debut, 36 Seconds: Portrait of a Hate Crime, premiered at DOC NYC in 2023, where it won the Subject Matter Award.

In the same year, Tarek was named to DOC NYC's 40 Under 40. In 2024, 36 Seconds won the Audience Award at the prestigious CAAM Film Festival. Tarek continues to develop and produce powerful narratives that not only captivate audiences but also advocate for a more just and compassionate world.

SAMIA KHAN-BAMBRAH

Samia Khan-Bambrah is an award-winning filmmaker, producer, and thought leader. She is a 2024 Sundance x Doris Duke fellow and CAAM Fellow. Forbes Magazine and the World Economic Forum recently named her one of the top filmmakers creating compelling character-driven films on climate change and other important social issues. She partners with brands, celebrities, political agencies, production studios, and publications to create films that inspire, entertain, and inform. Her films have gained distribution and recognition from Apple TV, CNN, PBS, Sundance, Amazon, and festivals around the world.

JOY REID

Reid is the author of several New York Times best sellers including “The Man Who Sold America: Trump and the Unraveling of the American Story” (Harper Collins, 2019); “Fracture: Barack Obama, the Clintons and the Racial Divide” (William Morrow/Harper Collins, 2015); and “We Are the Change We Seek: The Speeches of Barack Obama” (Bloomsbury, 2016), which she co-edited with Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne. Reid most recently published “Medgar & Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story that Awakened America,” which debuted in February 2024 at #1 on The New York Times best-seller list.

Lunch Reception

1:30 PM MST

Connection Break: An Immersive Experience to Revitalize Connection

2:30 PM MST

RIAZ PATEL

Riaz Patel is a psychology-educated, two-time Emmy-nominated & NAACP Image Award nominated Executive Producer/Director. His TV series, media projects - and most recently, a Broadway show - create transformative & ‘perspective-shifting’ experiences for real people and have been filmed in twenty-one countries and distributed worldwide by companies such as A&E, Amazon, AMC, AppleTV, Discovery, Lifetime, MTV, NBC/Universal, OWN, TLC and others. After seven years of development and testing, his newest endeavor is ConnectEffect - a live entertainment show that quickly & deeply connects any audience of strangers across all backgrounds, generations, beliefs & divides - in just under 60 minutes. Forbes calls it a “game-changer” as an intervention for the epidemic of isolation and polarization. For his transformative work, Riaz recently received a special commendation from the County of Los Angeles.

The Impact Campaign: Creating a Strategic Ecosystem to Amplify Storytelling

2:45 PM MST

Impact campaigns are essential for drawing attention to stories. They require a concerted effort that strategically aligns messaging, partnerships, and platforms to optimize reach. A well-structured system is needed to meet audiences where they are. This panel will delve into the intricacies of crafting successful impact campaigns that effectively leverage a coordinated ecosystem.

SAM GILL Moderator

Sam Gill is the third president and CEO of the Doris Duke Foundation (DDF), a New York-headquartered, national philanthropic organization that operates five national grantmaking programs—in the performing arts, the environment, medical research, child and family well-being, and mutual understanding between communities—as well as Duke Farms and Shangri La, two centers that serve the public directly.

W. KAMAU BELL

W. Kamau Bell is a stand-up comedian, director, producer, and dad. For seven seasons, he was the host and executive producer of the five-time Emmy Award-winning CNN docuseries United Shades of America. Kamau won a Peabody Award for his Showtime docuseries We Need To Talk About Cosby. As a stand-up comic, Kamau has recorded two comedy specials. The second one, Private School Negro, is available on Netflix. Kamau is on the board of directors of DonorsChoose - a non-profit that helps teachers raise money for class projects, and Live Free - a non-profit dedicated to ending gun violence, mass incarceration, and mass criminalization. Kamau also is the ACLU’s Celebrity Ambassador for Racial Justice. He lives in Oakland, California. He cares a lot… maybe too much.

AMANDA CHEN

Amanda Chen is a leader in social impact, public health, and campaign strategy, with over two decades of experience driving systemic change. As Head of Impact and Engagement at Participant, she led high-impact, award-winning campaigns for globally recognized films and television series, advancing critical conversations around mental health, harm reduction, environmental justice, and human rights. Before that, as Director of Foundation Relations at Participant’s in-house agency, Amanda built and ran Take Part World, a Gates-funded multi-platform global health content series. As Head of Global Health at the Clinton Global Initiative, Amanda forged powerful cross-sector partnerships and led groundbreaking projects in women’s health, nutrition, and agriculture. She is now a co-founder of MATR Labs, a women-led agency dedicated to the end-to-end development, production, and release of culturally relevant content that drives impact. Amanda holds a B.A. in International Development and an M.A. in Global Political Economy.

JAMES SHANI

James Shani is a financier, producer and founder of Rich Spirit, a creative studio dedicated to transformative storytelling through film, community, and cultural experiences. Known for films like Gully, Mama Bears, and most recently acquiring and co-distributing Ali Abbasi’s The Apprentice starring Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong, Shani’s projects shine a light on the roots of social issues in order to inspire transformation in audiences. In addition to his contributions to Hollywood, Shani has been nominated for three VMA’s, having produced music videos for artists like Lady Gaga, Nas, H.E.R., Snoh Aalegra, and John Legend. Through his studio's initiatives, Shani supports marginalized voices, investing in and creating impact-driven programs that empower a new generation of storytellers.

Dinner Reception

7:00 PM MST

Watch Party

(Organized by the Islamic Scholarship Fund and the Center for Asian American Media. These films are not an official selection of the Sundance Film Festival.)

7:30 PM MST

LEILA ABU-SAADA

Leila Abu-saada is the Building Bridges Documentary Fund Program Manager at the Center for Asian American Media. A Libyan-American documentary filmmaker and journalist who produces and develops nonfiction series and films for independent production houses and streamers. After graduating with an MA in International Journalism from City University London, Leila spent several years as a news producer at Al Jazeera English in Doha, Qatar. Leila has since directed, produced, developed, and scripted for Emmy Award-winning series on Netflix, HBO, CNN, HULU, and Showtime. She has traveled to six continents producing sensitive-access stories that explore social justice, human rights, and conflict with an intentional human-first approach to storytelling.

IMAN ZAWAHRY

Iman Zawahry is a pioneering hijabi American-Muslim filmmaker, with a career marked by over 150 worldwide film screenings and accolades such as an Emmy award, Sundance Momentum Fellow and a Princess Grace Award. She co-created the first American Muslim film grant and serves as Director of Film Programs at the Islamic Scholarship Fund, advocating for underrepresented female voices in film. Currently a faculty member at the University of Florida, she focuses on narrative film and has been recognized for her mentorship and inspirational impact, including being named one of UF's Most Inspirational Women and UF’s Undergraduate Teacher of the Year.

ISLAMIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND Film Showcase

$17.74 by Justin Mashouf

Witness by Saif Jaan

Maryam by Assia Boundaoui

Angel of Gaza by Ahmed Mansour

Maqluba by Mike Elsherif

Center for asian american media presents Building Bridges Documentary Fund Meet the Makers

Alien Nation by Khaula Malik

Loving Fathers by Mobolaji Olambiwonnu

Love Belt by Yusuf Ahmed

JANUARY 27, 2025

Brunch Reception

10:30 AM EST

Navigating the Documentary Landscape: Alternative Distribution Success Stories

11:30 PM MST

Over the last few years, the documentary market has faced numerous challenges to secure distribution. With streaming services curating more selectively and distribution companies focusing on high-profile projects, independent and urgent documentaries are often left in the shadows and struggle to get seen. This panel brings together a group of successful documentary filmmakers who have broken through these barriers by embracing alternative, self-distribution strategies to ensure their films reach wider audiences. Learn how they navigated the competitive marketplace to reach global audiences and create tangible social impact. From leveraging direct-to-audience digital platforms to building strategic partnerships and launching grassroots impact campaigns, the panelists will share real-world case studies that offer valuable insights into effectively getting your film seen in a challenging and evolving documentary market.

LEILA ABU-SAADA Moderator

Leila Abu-saada is the Building Bridges Documentary Fund Program Manager at the Center for Asian American Media. A Libyan-American documentary filmmaker and journalist who produces and develops nonfiction series and films for independent production houses and streamers. After graduating with an MA in International Journalism from City University London, Leila spent several years as a news producer at Al Jazeera English in Doha, Qatar. Leila has since directed, produced, developed, and scripted for Emmy Award-winning series on Netflix, HBO, CNN, HULU, and Showtime. She has traveled to six continents producing sensitive-access stories that explore social justice, human rights, and conflict with an intentional human-first approach to storytelling. She is a member of Brown Girls Doc Mafia and Women in Film. Leila has lived and worked in London, Qatar, Tunisia, and Lebanon and is currently based in Los Angeles.

JULIA BACHA

Julia Bacha is a Peabody award-winning filmmaker and the Creative Director at the pioneering media non-profit Just Vision. Julia’s directing credits include Encounter Point (Tribeca 2006), Budrus (Berlinale 2009), My Neighbourhood (Tribeca 2012), Naila and the Uprising (IDFA 2017), and Boycott (SXSW 2022). Julia is the recipient of the Ridenhour Film Prize, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Chicken & Egg Award. Originally from Brazil, she is a Documentary Branch Member of AMPAS.

MAURIZIO BENAZZO

Maurizio's Italian ancestors are deeply rooted in Acqui Terme, Piemonte - a heritage that continues to guide his decisions and creative vision. He is devoted to making visible the profound interconnectedness between all forms of life and the ancestral wisdom that flows through it. After many years working in all roles in front and behind the camera, in 2007 he co-founded SAND (Science And NonDuality)with his partner and wife Zaya, and together they have since co-directed, produced and independently distributed several award-winning documentaries including The Wisdom Of Trauma and Where Olive Trees Weep. In 2025 they will release The Eternal Song, a 12 feature documentary project on the impact of colonization on indigenous cultures worldwide.

MO NAQVI

A member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Mohammed Ali (Mo) Naqvi produced two seasons of the Netflix Original Top 10 docu-series "Turning Point" and received the inaugural Emmy Television Academy Honor for the Showtime Original "Shame." Mo has won several awards, including two Amnesty International Awards, and earned nominations for an Independent Spirit Award, a Cinema Eye Honor, and the UNESCO-Fellini Prize. His notable documentaries include Emmy-nominated "Among the Believers" (PBS World), Insha'Allah Democracy (Starz), Emmy-nominated and Asia Media Award winner "The Accused: Damned Or Devoted?" (BBC, Arte/ZDF), and the United Nations Association Film Festival Grand Jury Winner "Pakistan's Hidden Shame" (Channel 4 UK). He has also produced fiction features such as "Big River" (Berlin Film Festival) and "I Will Avenge You Iago," starring Giancarlo Esposito. Originally from Karachi, Mo is Chairman of the Pakistan Academy Selection Committee, which selects Pakistan's official submission for the Academy Awards, and founder of The Crescent Film Collective."

CHRISTIE MARCHESE

Christie Marchese is the founder and CEO of Kinema. Kinema is a global film distribution and exhibition platform that leverages the power of community and social interaction to screen and stream films. She was previously the founder of the impact agency Picture Motion, which was acquired by PMCI Entertainment. Prior to PicMo, she ran impact for Righteous Pictures, led digital strategy for the social action group at Participant Media, and handled program coordination and social media management at Norman Lear's nonprofit Declare Yourself.

Christie is also the co-author of The Distribution Playbook and won several industry recognitions, including being named one of Fortune’s Rising Female Founders in 2023 and Fast Company’s Most Creative People in 2021. She’s currently on the board of Subject Matter and The Reinvent Stockton Foundation, and on the Capacity Council for Brown Girls Doc Mafia.

Lunch Reception

12:45 pm mst

Connection Break: An Immersive Experience to Revitalize Connection

1:45 PM MST

RIAZ PATEL

Riaz Patel is a psychology-educated, two-time Emmy-nominated & NAACP Image Award nominated Executive Producer/Director. His TV series, media projects - and most recently, a Broadway show - create transformative & ‘perspective-shifting’ experiences for real people and have been filmed in twenty-one countries and distributed worldwide by companies such as A&E, Amazon, AMC, AppleTV, Discovery, Lifetime, MTV, NBC/Universal, OWN, TLC and others. After seven years of development and testing, his newest endeavor is ConnectEffect - a live entertainment show that quickly & deeply connects any audience of strangers across all backgrounds, generations, beliefs & divides - in just under 60 minutes. Forbes calls it a “game-changer” as an intervention for the epidemic of isolation and polarization. For his transformative work, Riaz recently received a special commendation from the County of Los Angeles.

From Margins to Mainstream: Advancing Muslim Representation in Entertainment

2:00 PM MST

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion featuring three influential leaders at the intersection of entertainment and activism: Habib Veera, MPAC Hollywood Bureau Board Chair; Arij Mikati, VP of Programs at Pillars Fund; and Sanaz Alesafar, Executive Director of Storyline Partners. In this insightful conversation, we will explore the pivotal role storytelling plays in shaping narratives and how media representation influences cultural understanding, challenges stereotypes, and amplifies voices of underrepresented communities. However, Hollywood has often failed to embrace and uplift Muslim stories and voices in an authentic way. Don’t miss this conversation as we explore what leaders in the industry are doing to ensure that Muslim narratives are told with depth and authenticity, and how they’re working to create a more inclusive entertainment landscape.

HABIB VEERA

Habib Veera was born in Bombay, India and immigrated to Los Angeles. He is the co founder and operator of a family business in the service industry that has since diversified. He earned a BS in Business at Loyola Marymount University. He is a father of three children, Deen, Naeem and Safiyya, and resides in Palos Verdes California with his wife Molly. Habib is an active member of the Southern California Muslim Community and has served on the Board of the Islamic Center of Southern California and the Muslim Public Affairs Council in various roles and capacities. He is currently serving on the Board of MPAC and chairs its Hollywood Bureau.

SANAZ ALESAFAR

Sanaz Alesafar (she/her) works within the intersection of culture, film, and television to promote social justice issues and narrative change. She is the Executive Director for Storyline Partners, a nonprofit collective of cultural consultants that advise and promote accurate and authentic entertainment narratives in film, television, podcasts, and gaming. Sanaz graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and received her MPA from L'Institut d'études politiques de Paris (Sciences Po, Paris).

ARIJ MIKATI

Arij Mikati is the Vice President of Programs at Pillars Fund, where she designs and leads programming that challenges damaging narratives about Muslims and amplifies Muslim voices in artistic spaces. Her storytelling work seeks to change the lens through which Muslim stories are told to one that is dignified, complex, and tells the truth about Muslim communities. Arij has more than ten years of experience as a storyteller, nonprofit executive, educator, and creative consultant. She is a devoted anti-racism educator, who, as a Social Impact Advisor and Coach for Inspire Justice and leadership team member of Chicago Regional Organizers for Anti-Racism, works to foster radically inclusive, just, intersectional spaces. An experienced facilitator, Arij is frequently invited to moderate conversations on anti-racism, narrative change, equity in entertainment, and Muslim representation in media. Her experiences and expert insight have also been featured by Variety, Teen Vogue, NPR, Tiny Spark podcast, and Al Jazeera, among many other outlets.

Relationships, Law and Financing: Navigating the Entertainment Business

2:45 pm MST

Recently, there has been a growing focus on on-screen and behind-the-scenes representation, inclusion, and the portrayal of diverse backgrounds and identities in entertainment. While representation is a great step towards building deeper understandings and challenging preconceived notions and stereotypes, it only addresses one aspect of the equation. The business mechanisms that shape these portrayals, from legal contracts to talent negotiations and financing, are often overlooked. This panel dives deeper into the business behind the business—the deal structures, partnerships, and negotiations that influence what audiences ultimately see and how those decisions impact the industry.

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation. We will bring together industry professionals—entertainment lawyers, talent agents, and executives—to discuss how business decisions impact creative freedom, career trajectories, and the ability to maintain equitable representation.

FATIMA HASSAN ALI Moderator

Fatima Hassan Ali is counsel with a leading private equity firm, where her practice focuses on counseling on regulatory compliance and advising on strategic initiatives. Fatima was previously an associate in Houston for leading global law firms. She earned her degrees from Stanford University and Harvard Law School, where she was involved with the HLS Documentary Film Studio and studied media in emerging markets. Before practicing law, Fatima worked in the fields of human rights, humanitarian response, and economic development. She is also the founder of FHA Ventures, dedicated to using creativity to amplify social impact.

AMIN AL-SARRAF

Amin Al-Sarraf is an attorney with over 15 years of experience in the entertainment industry. Amin is a litigator who regularly represents studios, talent agencies, production companies, and individuals in business, commercial and entertainment-related disputes. Amin also represents clients in high-profile and highly-sensitive strategic matters involving investigations, public relations crises, fraud and corporate governance issues. Amin leads the Entertainment Industry Group for the Am Law 100 law firm, Troutman Pepper Locke.

HAMZA ALI

Hamza Ali is the President of MPI Media Group and Co-Founder of Watermelon Pictures, a Palestinian-owned film label dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices. His journey in entertainment began with his father,Malik, and uncle Waleed Ali, who founded a successful independent film distribution company in 1976.Hamza grew up immersed in the entertainment industry, witnessing his family's transformation of a small venture into a leading entertainment organization. Today, he and his brother Badie oversee MPI Media Group, including subsidiaries MPI Home Entertainment, Dark Sky Films, and MPI Stock Footage Archive.To honor Waleed’s legacy and their father’s vision, Hamza and Badie launched Watermelon Pictures in 2024. Watermelon Pictures is dedicated to using storytelling as a platform for change to imagine a liberated future. Hamza cherishes his family life with his wife Reem and their four children: Hedaya, Jude, Maryam, and Waleed.

ALI BENMOHAMED

As a French-Algerian born and raised in Paris, Ali Benmohamed offers a unique global perspective in the entertainment industry. He leverages his rich cultural heritage and extensive industry expertise, developed over 15 years at UTA, to excel as a talent agent. Ali has been instrumental in negotiating deals for both emerging and established talent, and collaborating with studios and executives. Among his notable clients are John Boyega, Randall Park, George Lopez, Tahar Rahim, Cherien Dabis, Jennifer Coolidge, Craig Robinson, and Jay Ellis. Through his efforts, he aims to bring fresh and compelling stories to the forefront of the industry.

LINA KAISEY

Lina Kaisey serves as an attorney and consultant in media, entertainment, and technology across North America, the UK, and SWANA. Lina provides practical transactional counsel to founders and directors at corporations, studios, and nonprofits worldwide. A war survivor and immigrant, Lina also maintains a robust civil rights practice. She is a mentor in the John W. Mack Movement Building Fellows Program, and provides pro bono support to civil rights groups such as ACLU, MPAC, CAIR, and others. She holds degrees from Harvard Law School and UCLA, and is a cellist in the Los Angeles Arab Orchestra.

NAJEEB KHUDA

Najeeb Khuda is an experienced producer, literary manager, and content strategist who has over a decade of experience in the industry working at various studios such as Lionsgate, Sony Pictures and 20th Century Fox, working across content strategy, deal analysis and worldwide distribution. He eventually launched his production company Endless Media, where he has produced several feature films including THE CALM BEYOND (released by Sony Pictures International), ASSASSIN (Bruce Willis final film), created the first ever scripted comedy VR project for Oculus Studios/Facebook and set up numerous other projects. Recently Endless Media’s management arm and future production slate was acquired by Zero Gravity Management where Najeeb continues to use his expertise in development, film finance, sales and distribution to both create bold dynamic content and represent emerging diverse voices to build their projects for the future.

Performance By Amir Sulaiman

6:15 PM MST

Closing Dinner Reception

7:00 PM MST

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The Sundance Film Festival is the ultimate gathering of original storytellers and audiences seeking new voices and fresh perspectives. Our annual program includes dramatic and documentary features, short films, and episodic content. We also host daily filmmaker conversations, panel discussions, and other events. Since 1985, hundreds of films launched at the Festival have gone on to gain critical acclaim and reach new audiences worldwide.

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