It’s been imperative to us to tell this story with the complexity and nuance it deserves. We’re a diverse team of filmmakers and the women-led key creative team includes BIPOC and queer folx at various intersections. We've been documenting Eman’s journey for more than six years.

“I feel like she doesn’t recognize me.

I feel like I’m kind of a stranger.

And I don’t want to go one step further.” 

- Eman (daughter)

 

28-year-old queer Muslim woman, Eman, is a second generation Palestinian-Egyptian scholar living in Brooklyn, NY. She finds herself grappling with the decision to come out to her devout, psychiatrist mother, even though she has left hints time and time before. To prolong coming out, Eman marries her current boyfriend to give the appearance of strictly straight relationship interests. The story unfolds through intimate vérité scenes that capture how Eman struggles to navigate the expectations of all sides of her identity. Despite fearing she might push her mother away, Eman sets off on a journey of self-realization as new opportunities unfold in direct response. 

 

 

COMING AROUND rejects the traditional “coming out story” where the film’s success hinges on this moment. Instead, it is a story that reveals the often unseen intricacies involved in deciding whether to come out, and it shows what it takes to find common ground, especially in religious communities and communities of color. Throughout her life, Eman has found safety in her Muslim community, while living in a country that is often not safe for Muslims. Yet now, she risks damaging those relationships due to her claiming her queerness. 

 

 

WHY ARE WE MAKING THIS FILM?  

I originally met Eman during grad school, and at the time she wasn’t publicly out. After the Orlando shooting in 2016, Eman decided it was time to claim both her queer and Muslim identities. She became an activist for her community, but she hadn’t come out to her mother. I found this an interesting premise for a film, and Eman and I embarked on this journey together. 

My interest towards Eman’s story stems from a couple things: The mother-daughter relationship, having myself grown up in a household of my mother, my sister and I, but also my own process of understanding my own sexuality, being fluid but always ending up in hetero relationships, and finding the language to talk about it. 

I try to ensure that my work is as inclusive as possible because documentary filmmaking has a long and problematic history characterized by eurocentrism. I tend to work with diverse crews because that’s how my personal and professional circles are, and I want the film to resonate with people at various intersections, with an emphasis on not homogenizing the experience. Having the support of a diverse crew really helps behind the scenes in terms of accurate portrayal, decision making and defining our audiences and how we cater to them: Chelsi Bullard (Producer), Uwa Iduozee (DP), Sarah Ibrahim (Composer), Rabab Haj Yahya (Consulting Editor) and Bianca Beyrouti (Crowdfunding Consultant). 

 

 

WHY ARE WE FUNDRAISING?

This film has been 6 years in the making. In the beginning, we funded it from our personal savings. But more recently, we’ve been honored to be supported by a number of grants and fellowships (Gotham Documentary Feature Lab, NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship program, Brooklyn Arts Council, Berlinale Diversity and Inclusion DocSalon etc.). 

But making a film isn’t cheap, and while these grants and labs have been essential, they’ve only covered a fraction of our costs. We have filmed more than 120 hours of footage in three different cities, edited the material into a film, and now we need your help to bring it to the finish line. All funds raised on Seed&Spark will be spent on necessary post-production costs: Composing, color grade and sound design & mix. Without these final post-production steps, there’s no film. Our composer Sarah A. Ibrahim, sound designer Gisela Fullà-Sivestre and colorist (N/A) will get to work as soon as we raise the money. Your contributions will make all the difference.

SO HOW DOES THIS SEED & SPARK THING WORK?

1. YOU MAKE A CONTRIBUTION, YOU GET A REWARD!

Take a look at the rewards listed to the right, including a link to the finished film and tickets to a screening of your choice, and see what takes your fancy. Once funding is completed, your name will appear on the supporters page of our website/end credits, and we will send you any other rewards as soon as possible. 

2. IF WE DON’T RAISE AT LEAST 80% OF OUR TARGET AMOUNT BY THE END OF OUR CAMPAIGN, WE DON’T GET ANYTHING!

If we are short of our goal at the deadline, everyone’s pledges will be voided and no rewards handed out! PLEASE help us prevent this from happening! 

3. IF WE RAISE MORE THAN OUR TARGET AMOUNT, WE GET TO KEEP IT ALL!

Any additional dollars raised will go directly towards other crucial post-production costs, such as hiring a graphic designer, and so on.

***If you need a tax deduction in the United States, please contact us for more information.*** 

 

WHERE DID WE GET OUR FUNDING UNTIL THIS POINT?

In the beginning, we funded this film from our personal savings. But more recently, we’ve been honored to be supported by a number of grants and fellowships:

• Gotham Documentary Feature Lab & Gotham Week
• NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship program
• Brooklyn Arts Council
• Berlinale Diversity and Inclusion DocSalon
• DOK Leipzig / DOK Industry
• Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike)
• Only in New York DOC NYC
• p.h. balanced films

But making a film isn’t cheap, and while these grants and labs have been essential, they have only covered a fraction of our costs. Your contribution will make all the difference.

HOW CAN YOU HELP FURTHER?

Low on cash? Spread the word! Send this project to 5 or 10 of your friends, family, and anyone else you can think of! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram to see updates on our progress.

Feel free to copy and paste!

There are few films that center or affirm the lives of queer Muslims. Join the team behind this mother-daughter love story @comingarounddoc (IG) / @comingaroundfilm (FB) and help bring this beautiful project to the finish line. Support them on https://seedandspark.com/fund/coming-around#story

I just watched the @comingarounddoc (IG) / @comingaroundfilm (FB) pitch video and WOW, you’ve got to support this beautiful mother-daughter love story that reveals the often unseen intricacies of coming out and of seeking common ground. Join them: https://seedandspark.com/fund/coming-around#story

 

THANK YOU!