Iman Zawahry, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Media Production, Management, and Technology lecturer and award-winning filmmaker, was awarded the Narrative Feature Grand Prize for her film “Americanish” from the 30^th Heartland International Film Festival (HIFF) in Indianapolis on Oct. 15.

This is the fourth honor for “Americanish.” The film also received Audience Awards from the 2021 New York Asian Film Festival, the CAAMFest 2021 in San Francisco and the Asian CineVision Asian American International Film Festival. The HIFF Narrative Feature Grand Prize includes a $20,00 award.

“Americanish” is the first American Muslim romantic comedy made by American Muslim women and Zawahry’s first feature-length film. Zawahry served as the American Muslim director to Aizzah Fatima’s Pakistani-American Muslim lead acting, and the pair co-wrote and co-produced the romantic comedy.

During the 11-day event, the Heartland International Film Festival will showcase 143 films including 11 world premieres, eight U.S. premieres and 14 event titles. Virtual and in-person screenings continue through Oct. 17.

Posted: October 15, 2021
Category: College News
Tagged as: Americanish, Iman Zawahry