The Film Production Club and the Muslim Students Association (MSA) at the University of Utah are hosting a panel on April 16 to discuss representation in the film industry, “Framing the Narrative: Representation in Film & Media.” The panel will feature two speakers with real-world experience in film, and opening remarks by Sue Obeidi, Senior Vice President of the MPAC Hollywood Bureau, the event’s sponsor.
Connecting students to media and community
For MSA, this event is deeply rooted in its long-lasting mission of supporting and connecting Muslim students at the U. “MSA has been around since the ’80s, and it’s been a bridge between the University of Utah’s Muslim community as well as the Muslim community in Utah,” Hanan Osman, Volunteer Coordinator at MSA, said. The group has served as more than just a cultural organization, but as a crucial support system for students navigating campus life. “We’re basically a hub for where Muslim students on campus can come connect and meet with other people,” Sumer Tariq, Historian at MSA, said.
The two speakers featured at this event are Shireen Razack, who has over 15 years of TV writing experience, and Yasemin Yilmaz, who recently served as co-executive producer on NCIS. The discussion will include insight into the film industry, real-world perspectives and guidance on how to break into the scene. “It’s also a way to honor the trailblazers in the community who made it possible for us, who we will be showcasing at this event,” Tariq said.
This event seeks to engage audiences in considering how media portrayals can either reinforce exclusion or open doors for future voices. “We see how much having our voices represented and our faces represented in various sectors can influence us and make us feel like we belong in those spaces,” Tariq said. “When it feels like in film, or politics, or whatever field you want to go into, is dominated by a certain homogeneous group that you are not a part of, it can be very discouraging.” MSA continues to work to increase visibility for the Muslim community not only in film but across all career paths.
The panel also strives to discuss the implications of visibility for the Muslim community in the media, and how important representation is. “I don’t see film as my future career, but it is very important to me to see my people represented,” Tariq said. “By bringing people in who have been on the inside of this industry and can reflect on their experiences, it does make you realize that you can belong in those spaces as well, and it’s safe for you.”
RSVP to “Framing the Narrative: Representation in Film & Media” here. Tickets are $5, and the event will be hosted at the University Guest House.
