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There's something so inspiring about a filmmaker who has a million different reasons for why he shouldn't be selected for this fellowship or that school, but goes forward boldly, anyway, and stays humble about it.

And also a guy who would love the opportunity to teach at his film school -- NYU -- but I completely believe him when he says that he would quit if it got in the way of his feature filmmaking.

That's the story of my guest, filmmaker Ward Kamel.

Most recently, Ward was selected as one of four individuals and one writing team for the 2024 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting, but that's barely scratching the surface about the wild journey of this unique filmmaker.

In this episode, we discuss:

• how he got started in filmmaking; originally, he thought he was studying science;
• his thoughts on the importance of attending film school -- he attended NYU -- and being a team player;
• whether film school's admissions department did their job, in his mind;
• his film, IF I DIE IN AMERICA, now available as a Vimeo Staff Pick;
• if that film is a template for filmmakers -- can you make a truly fantastic short film and get rewarded for it?;
• how filmmaking is unique in art as it involves more than just the artist's vision -- it's an art with a side of management;
• the story behind how he won a 2024 Academy Nicholl Fellowship and what the process is applying for it (it's a lot easier than other fellowships);
• the surreptitious way in which he was notified by the Academy;
• how he "doubled down" on screenwriting after graduating;
• the left-brain, right-brain-related importance of directing and screenwriting;
• the importance, as Vlad Nikolich noted, of subtlety in screenwriting and how he accomplished that in IF I DIE IN AMERICA;
• treating your audience "like they are geniuses; you can tell when the director thinks you're dumb";
• how "it's very impossible to make something for someone else" in the sense of creating a film you don't believe in;
• how best to capitalize on the moment of a viral video or a prestigious fellowship -- celebration isn't enough, it's "an invitation to share" and you should be ready with whatever's next when that moment comes;
• whether emerging filmmakers feel like they can make films about tough topics -- "I'm Muslim. I was raised Muslim. This is a queer Muslim film. I'm a queer Muslim filmmaker" -- and he concludes that filmmakers should go for it;
• why there is a noticeable lack of Arab and Muslim voices in independent film;
• where he goes to watch films from the area;
• what he would teach at NYU and if there were professors he felt he could relate to
• what's next for this extraordinarily talented, fellowship winning, Brookyln-living, would quit his theoretical job at NYU for his feature film, filmmaker.

Ward's Indie Film/Filmmaker Highlight: JOYLAND (2022) dir. by Saim Sadiq; MY FIRST FILM (2024) dir. by Zia Anger; Brit Marling

Links:

Ward Kamel's Website

IF I DIE IN AMERICA Vimeo Staff Pick

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