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The premiere screening of my feature film This Has Already Happened at East Window gallery was deeply touching and meaningful. My child, Muneera, who also stars in the film, was there, along with my creative partner and wife, Lauren. Many of my former and current students came as well, which made the evening feel especially personal.

It was an intimate gathering,  and I was grateful for the thoughtful questions and the warmth everyone brought into the conversation.

More pictures from the event: click here.

The Night Award honors films, which are able to balance ambiguity and complexity characterized by enigmatic mysteriousness and subtleness, which keeps mind and consideration moving.

Jury Declaration Statement:
If machines could dream, what would they dream of? Of being able to dance. An intriguing use of double exposure and a structure that is both simple and precise. The film evokes artificial intelligence becoming organic. For its poetic vision the jury awards Testimony a Special Mention, Night Award. 

Photo of Usama by Robert Ortega for an upcoming short documentary.