An Evening of Movies, Monologues & Music

Celebrating Muslim Women is a free community event featuring short films, dance, and spoken word performances honoring the power of Muslim women’s voices, presented by NY/LA Production, a non-profit, woman-centric creative agency founded by Nyla Hazratjee. Specializing in the production and promotion of local, regional, and national MENA, Muslim, and South Asian voices, NY/LA is dedicated to changing the narrative of the MENA community in film and television through independent media.

From the sponsor: “We are uplifting our local artists and bringing the diverse Tampa Bay community together under one roof. By promoting Muslim female voices, we empower not only Muslim women but also society at large. Come join us at the Tampa Theatre for a special event highlighting the achievements and contributions of Muslim women!”

This in-person gathering will showcase the diverse talents and inspiring stories of women from the Muslim community. From art to activism, entrepreneurship to education, it will celebrate the resilience and creativity of Muslim women and provide an opportunity to connect with, learn from, and honor the powerful women shaping our world.

The evening will feature screenings of three short films, including Iman Zawahry’s I Am From Palestine, Sara Rangooni’s Leveled, and producer Rashad Mubarak’s Clara’s Fruit, a film from “No Texture” and director Morgan Mathews; a spoken-word performance by Sam Obeid; and dance performances by USF’s Bulls Dabke, Reham El-Hennawey, and Zara & Anannya Khan.

Tickets for this special screening are FREE, courtesy of NY/LA Production.
RSVP is required by clicking the show time.

Dr. Nyla Hazratjee, founder of NY/LA Production, is an American-Muslim filmmaker. As a first generation Pakistani American, her work focuses on the minority subculture experience in America. She is an award-winning filmmaker whose work includes The Persian Version, Sundance 2023 winner, on Netflix now; The School Duel, winner Deauville American Film Festival 2024; Five star, which premiered at Hollyshorts 2025; and Bafta scholarship-winning short film The Appointment in South Central. She is the director of American Fabric, a feminist film with a female BIPOC crew which will have a major impact.

Sara Rangooni is the writer/director of Leveled, her most recent proof of concept short film, which continues to make its festival circuit worldwide. As one of four Rising Voices Canada participants with Hillman grad, Bipoc TV & Film and Indeed in development for her feature Leveled, she is determined to change the narrative and push boundaries with powerful story-telling.

Rashad Mubarak, producer of Clara’s Fruit, is a former journalist turned screenwriter and producer with a focus on telling stories about young Muslims and other underrepresented groups surviving in the American South. An Alumni of Mohammad Schools of Atlanta and recipient of the Producers Guild of America Power of Diversity Fellowship, he’s worked as a production manager on multiple TV shows including OWN TV’s Rebuilding Black Wall Street, hosted by Morris Chestnut.

Spoken word performer Sam(ira) Obeid is an internationally renowned poet, a reputed educator on intersectionality, systemic discrimination and resistance, and a local activist. She was recently awarded the 2022 Charlie Hounchell Spirit of Service & Leadership Award by Equality Florida for her work as an activist in the Tampa Bay community.

The goal of the Bulls Dabke Dance Troupe is to create unity through the celebration of traditional dance. Dabke originates from the Levant, a region containing the Arab countries Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine. “Dabke,” is an Arabic word meaning “to stomp.” As the name suggests, this dance is a series of energetic stomps and kicks, and it is performed in a line while holding others’ hands or shoulders.

Ballerina Reham El-Hennawey was born and raised in Canada while maintaining her Egyptian roots.  Her passion for dance started as a young child and she’s been trained in a variety of styles including ballet, tap and jazz.

Zara and Anannya Khan practice traditional South Asian/ fusion hip hop. This Tampa-based Pakistani dancing duo merges traditional South Asian music and movement with urban modern dance. A nod to the emerging Muslim American culture of North America, two equally beautiful and eclectic ideas integrate forming a unique and contemporary style.

Dyma AbuOleim, founder & President of 200 Muslim Women Who Care®. She is also a founding member of 100 Women Who Care South-shore, a former founding Board Member of Water Smart Tots, and a member of the Superintendent’s Advisory Council for the Education of Students with Disabilities.