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Speak - Short Film

“Speak” is a short film highlighting the struggle some modern Muslims face between speaking out and defending their faith, and staying quiet for fear of judgment and persecution.

On the day of her speech for Class President, Natasha's world is rocked by the news of yet another mass shooting at the hands of Muslims. What follows is a day of confrontation and difficult conversations which leads Natasha to her breaking point and to speak out or remain silent.

  • Shaheed Devji
    Director
  • Shaheed Devji
    Writer
  • Evan Friesen
    Producer
  • Shaheed Devji
    Producer
  • Olly Bian
    Cinematographer
  • Ziyana Vasaya
    Associate Producers
  • Imran Amlani
    Associate Producers
  • Ziyana Vasaya
    Key Cast
    "Natasha"
  • Shabana Lalani
    Key Cast
    "Zaynab (Mom)"
  • Tina-Marie Springham
    Key Cast
    "Principal Williams"
  • Sonja Holgersen
    Key Cast
    "Alex"
  • Sabrina Vellani
    Key Cast
    "Fatima"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 8 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 28, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    6,900 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • International Film Festival of South Asia Toronto
    Toronto
    Canada
    August 10, 2020
    Worldwide Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Shaheed Devji

Shaheed Devji is a filmmaker based in Vancouver, Canada. After spending the better part of ten years telling others' stories through his work in television journalism and corporate video production, Shaheed is now focused on sharing his perspective and telling stories with relevance and resonance through film.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

This film is about journey that many Muslims (and people of other faiths, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc.) go through in order to re-discover their own identity and voice.

Being a Muslim myself, I have gone through periods of time where I am open and proud, and others where I feel like I need to step back and hide. It is easy to let outside factors dictate how you look at yourself, but it's not always right.

This film aims to shed light on the struggle Muslims specifically face in 2019 when trying to come to terms with how their religion if viewed by many today: negative, violent. etc. This is despite the fact our entire existence has been the opposite.