Filmmaker Award Winner & Celebration! 5/24/05
Dear NAAP-NY,
We are thrilled to announce that the winner of the 1st Annual Arab-American Filmmaker Award is a New Yorker!
After a rigorous selection process, which included reading and reviewing over 60 submissions from around the world, the judges - Emmy-Award winner Tony Shalhoub of the hit TV show Monk, actor and comedian Sayed Badreya, and a panel of NAAP judges from all three major chapters selected the screenplay "Mush" by Asma May Fouathia. Second place went to "Disappeared" by Nizar Wattad of Los Angeles, CA and Third place went to "A Minnesota Christmas" by Alia Yunis of Santa Monica, CA.
The winner was announced by Tony Shalhoub at the April 23rd ACCESS gala opening of the National Arab American Museum in Michigan. "Mush" will be produced in Hollywood, resulting in Asma's first film production ever!
Now, please join us in celebrating with Asma! We are having a party for all NAAP-NY members and friends to hear parts of the winning screenplay on Tuesday, May 24th. Dean Obeidallah, comedian and community activist will serve as Master of Ceremonies. So be prepared for some laughs!
There will also be great raffle prizes - including tickets to Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," tickets to MTV's Total Request Live, DVDs, Dinners, MTV notebooks & t-shirts, and more!
When: Tuesday, May 24 @ 7PM
Where: LIGHT NYC (125 East 54th St. between Park & Lexington Avenues)
Admission**: $15 donation to enter ($20 suggested)
**ALL proceeds go towards producing "Mush". A minimum of $15,000 of funds raised from the competition will be used to pay for the film production and travel expenses. The goal of the project is to raise $20,000 in support of the competition winners. Currently we are still shy of the goal, and we need additional contributions from the community! Coming to this event is a fun way to help pitch in and support the growth of Arab-American film!
If you are unable to attend the May 24th celebration, but wish to make a donation, please email Yasmin at nymedia@naaponline.org for details.
Thank You,
The Network of Arab-American Professionals of NY
www.naaponline.org/ny | naap_ny@naaponline.org | 212.592.4052
* NAAP established this Competition in collaboration with Emmy Award-winning actor Tony Shalhoub and Zoom-in-Focus productions in order to encourage young Arab-American Filmmakers and provide them with a vehicle through which to realize their goals. Given the prevalence of negative stereotypes of Arabs in today's mainstream media, a major objective of this competition is to change these negative images by allowing Arabs to write their own stories and play a pivotal role in influencing the media. For more information on the award please visit: www.naaponline.org/filmmaker