Elijah: An Aspirational Story of a Trans Person

Hi, my name is Razid, an independent filmmaker based in NYC. I am working on a new short film project, "Elijah," and fundraising for it. The Elijah film project has already received a $3000 grant from the New York State Council on the Arts, with a planned film screening in March 2023. We also received a grant of $1500 from the Buckhorn Foundation.

Elijah tells the story of a South Asian cab driver who faces an unprecedented struggle when his only teenage daughter comes out as a trans man.

Can a traditional immigrant family embrace a child who defies gender norms?

Inspired by a real-life story, this film will be a powerful narrative guaranteed to change hearts and minds. It focuses on how even a traditional immigrant family can embrace a child who defies gender norms.

Elijah is set in New York City, which has a vast South Asian community often perceived as being hostile to LGBTQ expression. What happens when they immigrate to a new culture that values individual decision-making on these matters?

I have always made films on timely subjects. I have used my artistic platform (film) as a tool to speak for social justice and humanitarian values, especially involving voices often neglected in mainstream media. I hope to be a vehicle of compassion and social change by directly confronting taboo issues like the above.

My last film was on the Holocaust, which I shot in Yiddish. When I make a fictionalized film, I emphasize the authenticity of detail and fact to create a visual world that gives viewers a sense of the “aura” of the setting.

My previous films, including Kaddish, were screened at various festivals around the world and won awards for their outspokenness and compassion. Most importantly, the medium of film can transcend differences and conflict and help create a culture where people’s lives are honored and valorized.

We would especially like to engage South Asian communities in making this film.

The Field fiscally sponsors this project, and your donation is 100% tax deductible. In-Kind donors are also eligible for a tax deduction in the amount of the value of the good or service you would like to donate.

We appeal to you to help us make this film possible. Any amount is priceless and welcome. We would credit your names as Supporters/Backers. In addition, we would also invite you to the private screenings arranged by the New York State Council on the Arts by the end of March 2023.

We are hoping to raise $15,000 through crowdfunding. Our budget is $20,000. We plan to do the film's principal photography (shooting) by the end of January 2023.

“If each person gives $25, we can reach our goal" (from the contribution of 600 donors).

Or if each person gives $50, we can reach our goal from the contribution/charity of 300 donors.

Razid Season is a sponsored artist with The Performance Zone Inc (dba The Field), a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization serving the performing arts community. Contributions to The Field earmarked for Razid Season are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. For more information about The Field, or for our national charities registration, contact: The Field, 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 906 New York, NY 10038, phone: [Telefonnummer bearbeitet]. A copy of our latest financial report may be obtained from The Field or from the Office of Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.

Thank you.

www.razidseason.com

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9088465