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My brother Wisam and I chat about what happened at the US Capitol

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American Arab at Best of CUFF Virtual Fest

The Chicago Underground Film Festival has been playing my films since 1998! Holy shit. If it wasn’t for Bryan and CUFF I would not be who I am today. They asked me if I had any fun stories about CUFF… and I have so many. Some are epic and shall not be repeated and others I can barely remember, lol. But it was my friendships and connections with all the wonderful folks at CUFF, and the filmmakers that I feel a kinship with– it was an extension of everything that I loved about Chicago and this more fringe set of filmmakers. They were like me.

I was looking forward to a road trip this summer with Talia to visit again and play our latest work. But we have the coronavirus now and everything has been cancelled… but CUFF hangs on and they are playing the Best of CUFF virtually. This is an opportunity to see my documentary American Arab and other phenomenal films!

This is not expensive and pay what you can if you can’t afford the festival pass. From CUFF: We’ve set complete festival passes at just $30 with a suggested individual program ticket at $10 but individual programs are “pay what you can.”

So check out my film and other films by some of the most innovative and wild filmmakers today. Remember that corporate media controls over 90% of everything you watch and it is a gift when venues like CUFF show work on the margins of culture.

As long as I make films I hope to always play at the Chicago Underground Film Festival. It is in my blood and in my spirit.

https://watch.eventive.org/cu…/play/5efccf476ff4e0003e8aea9b

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Usama Talk – The Spring Pandemic

Audio stories and reflections on the COVID-19 pandemic from March 14th to April 26th, 2020.

Voices from Usama Alshaibi, Talia Watrous and Muneera Alshaibi. Additional media clips include Doctor Facui, Doctor Suraj Saggar and Donald Trump with reporters.

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New Year

As I reflect back I realize I don’t fully understand this life and reality. But I’m trying to let go of worry, let go of bitterness, let go of negative patterns, and to embrace wonder, kindness, laughter and compassion. I think there is something profound and also absurd about being human. I’m content with this beauty and chaos swirling in me. I used to think I needed so much, and I realize that I don’t need much, and I love being alone. But I am spending more time with my daughter—trying to spend more time in the forests and mountains, and more time listening to the whispers from the night and moon. I’m inspired. I also have someone in my life, a partner that I keep close to my heart and her love is everything. I feel revived through her.

It really is up to us to help one another on this planet. Take care my friends and keep creating and connecting and stay hopeful as we enter this new year together.

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Coming soon…

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Chicago Underground Film Festival trailer 2019

Check out the Chicago Underground Film Festival trailer I directed with Usilia Warood and cinematography by Ben Hernstrom.

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Boy from War zine issue 1

If you enjoy my films please consider purchasing my latest zine Boy from War. These are selections from my art journals when I was 18 years old and full of passion and angst. I was a romantic weird guy, trying to figure out my life by working out my stuff in drawings and words.

This is a hardcover zine with 80 sides and 40 pages.

[Click here to purchase]

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Our house in Basra, Iraq during the war

Rare polaroid (my mom found) of our house in Basra, Iraq after several bombings in 1982.

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Stories in the Night audio story

These are stories from my childhood about being lost in the night with my dad, the war in Iraq with my dog, and dropping acid.

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In action

Rare picture of me teaching at the University of Colorado Boulder on how to direct actors in film.

(picture by Geoff Marslett)