ACCOMPLISHED FILMMAKER TO VISIT UWF

PENSACOLA – The John C. Pace Jr. Symposium Series continues with Qasim “Q” Basir, acclaimed film director of MOOZ-lum, the coming-of-age tale of a young Muslim boy going to college in September of 2001. A film screening of MOOZ-lum will begin at 5 p.m., February 28 in the UWF Commons Auditorium, Bldg. 22, followed by a lecture by Basir at 6 p.m. Basir’s discussion based on race, politics and religion is based on one common theme – erasing ignorance. A meet and greet with Basir is scheduled immediately after the lecture. This event is free and open to the public.

After Basir completed his first project, 1Nation 2Worlds, he began doing just that. He took the film to colleges and universities all over the country, challenging students and professors to open discussions on the important issue of race. “I feel like ignorance is one of the most significant issues hindering our society today,” says Qasim. His following film, the award winning short Glimpse, dealt with a different subject but had the same idea; however, this time, as it deals with Muslims in America.

Qasim created a short film series aimed at supporting Presidential candidate Barack Obama. The Inspiration of Barack: “Yes We Can” film series, is a compilation of seven short films all dealing with different people who become inspired by Obama to take essential steps forward in their lives. Similar to 1Nation 2Worlds, he took the series to theaters around the country, urging attendees to get involved with the Obama campaign. Because of his work on this series, Qasim received the “Inspirational Filmmaker of the Year” award from the Memphis Black Writers Film Festival. The series can now be found on iTunes.com and in Blockbuster Video.

After coming off of the Yes We Can film series, Qasim focused his attention to his next feature film MOOZ-lum, which stars Danny Glover, Nia Long, Evan Ross, Roger Guenveur Smith, Summer Bishil & Dorian Missick. MOOZ-lum opened theatrically in February of 2011 and has received critical acclaim. Additionally, the film is continuously opening in theaters around the world and many government and social organizations, in the US and abroad, have used the film and Qasim’s voice for many different programs. Some of them include the US Embassy, US Consulate General, United Nations, the FBI, US State Department and others.

Currently, Qasim is working on his next screenplay entitled Destined, which is set for release in 2013.

The John C. Pace Jr. Symposium Series is designed to bring distinguished scholars, artists and leaders to Pensacola for lectures, performances and a variety of interactions with faculty, students, staff and the public.

For additional information, contact the Office of Diversity and International Education and Programs at (850) 474-2479 or visit www.uwf.edu/intered.