2023 Sundance Film Festival Wrap Up

Dear John,

The 2023 Sundance Film Festival is officially over today. Despite the freezing weather, the warmth of reconnecting with friends and colleagues in the entertainment industry was very special.

The MPAC Hollywood Bureau’s Muslim House participated in events that celebrated unity and shared values. One notable event was the One House party hosted by the Sunrise Collective. The collective brought together houses of color to celebrate as one. We were honored to be amongst organizations such as the Blackhouse Foundation, MACRO, and Illuminative.

Additionally, MPAC’s Party @ the Park was a rousing success. The energy from the audience was palpable. The demand for authentic narratives by Muslim storytellers in the entertainment industry is clear, and there is absolutely no shortage of Muslim filmmakers whose stories the world should not be deprived of.

This year, we hosted two panels. The first was Broken: The Failed Promise of Muslim Inclusion – a discussion with Dr. Evelyn Alsultany, Razi Jafri, and Omar Noureldin about the many pitfalls of diversity efforts for Muslims in the entertainment industry. Click here to watch.

Alongside the Islamic Scholarship Fund, we also hosted Muslim Cinematic Storytelling – an open dialogue for Muslim filmmakers to share their experiences in the entertainment industry. During the evening, the filmmakers shared their work with the audience. Featured panelists included Iman Zawahry, Aizzah Fatima, Nausheen Dadabhoy, and Imran J. Khan. Qasim Basir and Nida Manzoor, whose films To Live and Die and Live and Polite Society, which made their world premiere at the festival, also participated on the panel. Click here to watch.

We are so grateful for the ability to highlight Muslim creatives and do our part in shifting narratives around Muslims and Islam.

To view the photo album, click here:

Thank you for helping us lead the change for good!

In peace,

Sue Obeidi
Director, Hollywood Bureau

P.S. Weren't able to attend but want to support our efforts in the entertainment industry? Click here to donate.

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