Tough Crowd

IMAN ZAWAHRY (DIRECTOR/WRITER)

CAST – Liz Torres, Iris McQuillan-Grace, Stephanie DelRosario, Carly J. Bales

SYNOPSIS – Jihad, a young Muslim college student follows her dream of becoming a stand up comic despite her family's disapproval. Her sister believes that it goes against her family's tradiion. Jihad decides to pursue her dream anyway and enters a multicultural fest, which allows her to show her talent. Her arch-nemesis, Rivka, a successful stand-up comedian, tries to shake Jihad's confidence. Jihad is able to recompose herself with ther help of her best friend, Alexis. When Jihad steps onto stage she realizes that Rivka has stacked that audience full of Jewish students. Jihad hesitates, but finds the courage to go on with the show when her sister, Layla comes to give her support. Jihad not only wins over the audience, but also the support of Layla.

BIO – Iman Zawahry was born in Panama City, Florida in 1980. In 1998, she moved to Gainesville, FL to attend the University of Florida where she received a BA in Religion and Near Eastern Languages and Cultures. Upon graduation Iman worked with Bridges TV, the first American Muslim Television network, as a free-lance journalist. In 2006 Iman attended Florida State University Film School and has directed three short films, of which “Tough Crowd” was awarded an Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Student Emmy Award. “Tough Crowd” has also been accepted at this year's DC Shorts Film Festival and the 12th Annual Arab Film Festival. Currently, Iman won the Princess Grace Award and will be shooting a short film in the fall.