Please help support Muslim Filmmaker Lena Khan on her latest project!
Published by Haseeb September 11th, 2008 in Entertainment, Lena Khan, Media, ObamaThis is a request to support a Muslim professional in the area of film-making. Lena Khan, the Producer of “A Land Called Paradise,” needs financial support in carrying out her next project targeted towards a series of Obama political commercials based on the popular Get a Mac ads.
Many filmmakers have given up early in their careers due to lack of support and funding. If we want to have Muslims in film and in the media, it is important to invest now in their careers.
How You Can Help:
1) Lena still needs approximately $1500. If 150 give $10 (or 75 give $20) we’ll have that amount in no time. Of course, given that donations have been sparse, any amount you would like to donate would certainly be appreciated.
Ways To Donate:
1) Either PayPal the amount to lenakhan@gmail.com or
2) E-mail lenakhan@gmail.com stating your pledge amount and send a check to Lena Khan, 10247 Wilson Ave, Alta Loma, CA 91737.
For further details about Lena’s accomplishments and a personal email from her about the project, please feel free to read below:
PREVIOUS WORK AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
* Grand Prize winner of the “One Nation, Many Voices” film contest for the film, “A Land Called Paradise.” The film has been seen by over 500,000 people online, licensed by the State Department, and distributed to over 20 foreign embassies. It has affected thousands, helped heal rifts in families, and stimulated discussion across the world.
* Featured in USA Today, The Riverside Press Enterprise, The State Department journal, and other news outlets.
* Graduated top of her class at UCLA Film school and graduated summa cum laude from UCLA with degrees in political science and history
* Winner of CAIR’s “Activist of the Year” award, honored as the “Emerging Filmmaker to Watch” at MPAC’s 2008 Hollywood Bureau Media Awards, winner of Sony Entertainment Television’s South Asian Excellence Award in Entertainment.
* Previously worked at Valhalla Motion Pictures and Participant Productions on Oscar-winning feature films
* To read a feature article about Lena: http://www.america.gov/st/arts-english/2008/August/20080813130819xlrennef0.893963.html
she did win $20,000 why does she need my $$$
Oh snap! to anon’s comment!
just a note because that is a valid concern; the $20,000 had many things it went for or is going for. $2,000 went to Islamic Relief as I had promised, a couple thousand covered expenses for the last two films (for “Bassem is Trying,” as promised to the donors in the case that I won, I refunded their money), a lot of it goes to taxes, some of it went toward filmmaking software (Final Cut Pro itself costs $1200 ), and much of it is going toward my next film, which I am saving up for. Also, it is unsustainable as a filmmaker to always be paying for one’s own films; this may mean I can produce this film on my own, but none after. Also it is rare that such money comes from festivals, so some of it also went of course to pay my rent. I hope this helps toward some of those concerns.
Also, I forgot to mention, but I did not keep the $20,000. $4,000 went to crew members and such who helped on the films, according to our agreements before the films were made.
@Lena Khan - Since it such a small amount, have you ever tried to contact large Muslim businesses that make that money in a week? Maybe they can sponsor your film and then you can advertise it at the end or beginning. $1500 is like on iftar at some big masajid in North America. Even a masjid can sponsor it and you can advertise them or their services.
Salaam Alaikum Sister, May Allah
make it easier for you, i agree with the last comment by MR,Insha’Allah 
Muslim Business’s can sponsor you for this
I have another idea as a way you could raise money
1)Setup a website to advertise your Productions and charge a price for the DVD
(i.e $10)
You could perhaps partner with someone who has a DVD Duplication System to Bulk copy based on the demand as this could save you time instead of making individual copies
Advertise your site on Musim Forums and Mosque’s world wide
2) setup a you tube site with a video explaining your works, your goals and the help you require
Insha’Allah
this could work for you
@anon,
if you’re not willing to donate, then she DOESNT need YOUR money.
sadaqa is optional, but rewarding.
A’saalaamulkum.
Lena, you definately need a strong producer. Also, I looked for your website and couldn’t find one so you DEFINATELY need one of those also. I am in the same boat as you and I believe two talking heads are better than one. You have my email, please contact me if you’re interested.
Khayer inshAllah,
A’salaamaulikum
oh also, Anon Wa’llah that is a cheap shot. You could have emailed her directly instead of slandering. And just think oh Muslims, this is shahrir -Ramadan but tell me, where is the Rahmah? Wa’llah this Ummah is the Ummah of ZULM! And Allah
will not fix it, help it, nor bless it. Does Allah 
help the Zulm? (qur’an, 13;11).
Also, even if she is a big cheater, are you helping her fix her problem? I would like to support you Ya Lena, I will send whatever I can as soon as I can.
A’salaamaulikum