Obama v. McCain

(Disclaimer: this is by no means my way of promoting the idea of voting for Obama. In my book he is, at least, as bad as McCain. Rather, this is me promoting the work of a very cool Muslimah!)

Techonology:


Memoir:


Sexist:

Check out the rest of these great ads: Vote Smarter 2008

If You Can Spare 10 Seconds & $10

Please help us support a Muslim professional in the area of film-making.  Lena Khan, the Producer of "A Land Called Paradise," needs financial support in carrying out her next project targeted towards a series of Obama political commercials based on the popular Get a Mac ads.

Many filmmakers have given up early in their careers due to lack of support and funding. If we want to have Muslims in film and in the media, it is important to invest now in their careers.

How You Can Help:  1) Lena still needs approximately $1500. If 150 give $10 (or 75 give $20) we'll have that amount in no time. Of course, given that donations have been sparse, any amount you would like to donate would certainly be appreciated. 

Ways To Donate:  1) Either PayPal the amount to lenakhan@gmail.com or 2) email lenakhan@gmail.com stating your pledge amount and requesting mailing instructions.

For further details about Lena's accomplishments and a personal email from her about the project, please feel free to read her email below.  

PREVIOUS WORK AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Grand Prize winner of the "One Nation, Many Voices" film contest for the film, "A Land Called Paradise." The film has been seen by over 500,000 people online, licensed by the State Department, and distributed to over 20 foreign embassies. It has affected thousands, helped heal rifts in families, and stimulated discussion across the world.
• Featured in USA Today, The Riverside Press Enterprise, The State Department journal, and other news outlets.
• Graduated top of her class at UCLA Film school and graduated summa cum laude from UCLA with degrees in political science and history
• Winner of CAIR's "Activist of the Year" award, honored as the "Emerging Filmmaker to Watch" at MPAC's 2008 Hollywood Bureau Media Awards, winner of Sony Entertainment Television's South Asian Excellence Award in Entertainment.
• Previously worked at Valhalla Motion Pictures and Participant Productions on Oscar-winning feature films
• To read a feature article about Lena: Telling America's Story

From: Lena Khan [mailto:lenakhan@gmail.com] 

As-salamu `alaykum.

Not too long after the immense success--by the support of the Muslim community and the grace of God--of my film, "A Land Called Paradise," I am now hoping for your help on a new project. 

The new project is a set of 10-12 Obama commercials, modeled after the immensely successful and entertaining "Mac vs. PC" commercials. The series will be released approximately the first week of October and requires $3,000.

The commercials will help give me the training and exposure (effective and entertaining political videos spread virally online and have often been given exposure on major television networks) needed to further my career. They allow me a quality project with which to put in my reel/portfolio.

I have dedicated my entire career to making films about social issues and injustices that need exposure. Many inspired filmmakers have seen their careers fail because of lack of money to continue their training and career path. If the Muslim community wants to have Muslims in film, we ask for donors like you to invest in our careers.

On a personal note, I continually pray for everyone who has thus far helped me in my career as I cannot proceed without it. May you be rewarded for your support.

Jazakum Allahu khayran,

Lena Khan

Video Complete!

I blogged a few weeks ago about a sister who was working on a project titled "I wish they knew," remember? She wanted to help American Muslims convey the things they wish people knew, to the world.

The good news: the video is complete!

The better news: you have one more opportunity to help this sister out. Watch the video, and then check out the message from her (included below) detailing how we can help her.



Dear friends,

As some of you may have heard, LinkTV is hosting a film contest. The theme is "the muslim experience," and I have entered three films. To win, I really need votes (preferably high ones) so I am asking you to please take a few minutes (registering only takes a minute) and vote for the following films:

"Bassem is Trying"

"A Land Called Paradise"

"The Sleeper Cell"

Registering is easy, even though I know everyone hates doing it. Right under the video, there is a link that says "log in" to vote. Then just click on "Join link tv," follow the directions, and return to the links to vote!

Please vote NOW - the deadline for voting is very, very close. (and you don't want to forget, do you??)
. . .
Each of these films, with the exception of "The Sleeper Cell" (which was my first film made years ago), was made for this contest on a tight deadline. A Special thanks to everyone who helped out to get these done on a tight deadline.

Please be sure to vote! For each film that wins, $1000 will go to an orphan sponsorship program through Islamic Relief.

So please take the time to vote, and forward this email to your friends and family! Feel free also to post relevant links to any possible blogs...

Thank you,

Lena Khan
Director


PS If you have reached this far in the email and you enjoyed the third film, please take a moment to pray for Yousef (Joseph) Epperson, who played the lead role in "The Sleeper Cell", was kind enough to play the part, and who died earlier this year.

"I Wish They Knew"

Most Muslims would agree that as a whole we are misunderstood. While many view us as terrorists, those who do not believe this stereotype know nothing more about us than that that we are not terrorists. It is one of the largest problems facing Muslims today: everyone seems to know who we are not -- not who we really are.

So who are we? Well, here is your chance to decide. UCLA Film School graduate Lena Khan is looking for your help in making a music video about this very idea. The video will be compiled from these responses.

Want to help? Here's your chance:
Visit "I Wish They Knew" to find out how, ASAP!