Behind the Scenes with Pakistani-American Filmmakers

OPEN NY invites you to an exclusive evening with seven inspiring and innovative Pakistani-American filmmakers as they take to screen their most recent work, relive their stories and challenges, and discuss the global future of Pakistani filmmakers. OPEN hopes that this dialogue will inspire and create opportunities for young upcoming Pakistani-American filmmakers, and encourage new entrepreneurial ventures in the field of filmmaking. DATE: Thursday, August 21, 2008 6:00 - 6:30pm: Registration & Cocktails (preferred ticket holders have exclusive cocktails with the filmmakers) 6:30 - 9:00pm: Main Program -- Discussion & Screening of film clips 9:00 - 10:30pm: Cocktails, Light Dinner and Networking VENUE: Tribeca Grand Hotel (Grand Screen) http://www.tribecagrand.com/ TICKETS: $150 (Pre-event cocktails, Preferred Seating, OPEN NY 2008 membership); $100 http://www.myvillage.us/booking/book.asp?Ref=User&EventID=460 Special Guest: FARAN TAHIR -- Pakistani Hollywood actor who recently played some very interesting roles (Raza in IronMan, Brigadier Rashid in Charlie Wilson's War, Capt Robau in Star Trek). Featuring: AYAD AKHTAR is a writer, actor, director, and producer. He was nominated for 2006 Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay for 'The War Within' and he is also a founder of Coalition Films which is currently developing projects with stars Jamie Foxx and Alicia Keys, as well as visionary talents Aaron McGruder and Michael Muhammad Knight. http://www.coalition-films.com/ AYESHA KHAN is known for directing gripping short films, and most recently for her first feature film, 'Kashf -The Lifting of the Veil', shot entirely in Lahore, Pakistan, with a non-professional Pakistani cast and an international film crew from New York City. http://www.indusvalleyproductions.com/ AFIA SERENA NATHANIEL, labeled 'one of the best young minority filmmakers in the US,' has garnered critical appraise for her film, Long After, which bagged the prestigious HBO Development Award. She is currently in development with two feature length films in Pakistan and India. http://www.zambeelfilms.com JAFFAR MAHMOOD recently wrote and directed 'Shades of Ray,' a comedy about a half-Pakistani, half-Caucasian searching for his identity. Jaffar is now working with Outlaw Productions at Sony to secure financing for his script 'Arabian Knights,' a teen comedy set in Lahore. MEHREEN JABBAR is a 14-year veteran of the industry, with a prolific career as a Director/Producer of gritty, hard-hitting films for television. Her film 'Ramchand Pakistani', starring Nandita Das, was selected for the competition section of the Tribeca Film Festival 2008, and will be widely released in Pakistan this summer. http://www.mehreenjabbar.com/ MOHAMMED NAQVI is the producer/director of 'Shame', an award-winning documentary film depicting the case of Mukhtara Mai, which was showcased at both Toronto Film Festival and the Tribeca Film Festival. http://www.tightmedia.tv/ KIRAN KHALID, a noted broadcast journalist and documentary filmmaker and currently a producer for ABC’s “Good Morning America”, will moderate the panel. Also in attendance will be media and film executives. ----- OPEN is a voluntary not-for-profit association dedicated to the promotion of entrepreneurship within the Pakistani-American community. The organization was formed in 1998 and has chapters in Silicon Valley, New England, and New York. The association's charter is to provide networking opportunities and enhanced business opportunities for entrepreneurs and professionals. OPEN regularly organizes events pertaining to current issues in business and entrepreneurship. OPEN meetings and events are open to the public. OPEN-NY membership is open to people who are interested in promoting the goals of the organization.