Ahmed Naji: “The Ex-Criminal”

Ahmed Naji was a rising journalist and author in Cairo until he was charged with “violating public modesty” for publishing his second novel, “Using Life.” He was sentenced for two years, and became the first Egyptian author to be jailed for a work of fiction. In this short film, Ahmed’s novel is brought to life with animated illustrations from the book. Using as props the few objects he brought with him from Cairo, he describes his time in jail and how it ultimately led him to realize that he was truly a writer.

Moath Al-Alwi: “A Ship From Guantánamo”

Imprisoned without charges for over 20 years, an artist finds solace and joy from making intricate ship models out of found materials.

Mai Khoi: “I Sing What I See”

Mai Khoi, one of the most prominent young musicians in Vietnam, is embarking on her first USA tour. Once known as the “Lady Gaga of Vietnam,” she went from singing sugary pop songs whose lyrics were often censored, to performing more experimental songs and becoming an outspoken critic of her government. Her choice to reinvent herself comes with a cost- she’s given up fame, money, and most of all the ability to do the thing she loves the most- sing and play music. She has been banned from performing in her own country.

We follow Mai Khoi during her week in New York, where she and her bandmates relish in the excitement of playing openly everywhere they can- from an improv session in the subway to a concert at Lincoln Center. In the film, we focus on her evolution from a young pop star to a more mature artist who incorporates her yearning for freedom into her songs, and how the frustration of not being able to express herself freely led to her becoming an activist.

Ahmed Naji is a bilingual writer, journalist, documentary filmmaker, and official criminal from Egypt. His novels are : Rogers (2007), Using Life (2014), And Tigers to My Room (2020), Happy Endings (2023), and most recently, a memoir, Rotten Evidence: Reading and Writing in Prison (McSweeney’s, 2023), which was a Finalist at the National Book Critic Circle. Currently exiled in Las Vegas, Nevada. Read more about his work.

Moath al-Alwi is an artist and former detainee whose intricate model ships, crafted from found materials during his 20-year imprisonment at Guantanamo Bay, stand as profound symbols of resilience and humanity. His story is featured in A Ship from Guantanamo, a documentary that explores his art and unwavering spirit under unimaginable circumstances. Recently released, Moath will be resettled in Oman, where he plans to rebuild his life and continue creating art that speaks to survival, freedom, and hope.

*Note: Moath will not be able to join us for the event. His lawyer Beth Jacob will present a statement on his behalf. 

Mai Khôi, an acclaimed singer, composer, and activist, rose to fame in 2010 as one of Vietnam’s first female songwriters, winning prestigious awards. Disillusioned with government censorship, she entered politics, sparking national debate and meeting with Barack Obama in 2016. Despite facing hardships including concert raids and police detention, Mai Khôi remains dedicated to activism. In 2016, she founded Mai Khôi Chém Gió, blending protest music with traditional Vietnamese melodies. She later joined Seaphony, uniting Southeast Asian ethnic minority musicians. Leading Mai Khôi and the Dissidents, she explores avant-garde jazz and eclectic themes, including protest anthems.Khôi is developing “Bad Activist,” a multimedia production advocating democracy. Since 2019, she’s resided in the USA, receiving recognition as a resident artist and earning prestigious awards like the 2018 Václav Havel Prize and the 2022 Four Freedoms Award and was Artist Protection Fund alumna.

Dara Kell is an award-winning filmmaker whose documentaries explore the intersection of art, activism, and social justice. Her films include Dear Mandela, a portrait of young leaders in South Africa’s housing movement, and An Unsettling Force, which chronicles contemporary struggles for racial and economic equality in the United States. Her work has screened at festivals and cultural institutions worldwide. Dara’s latest film series, Art of Exile, co-directed with Veena Rao, highlights the resilience of artists displaced from their homelands, amplifying their stories of creativity and resistance.

Veena Rao is a filmmaker based in New York City. In her work, she is interested in revealing the extraordinary in the everyday. Her films have been showcased at festivals worldwide and via The New York Times Op-Docs, and Vimeo Staff Picks. They have also received support from Independent Television Service (ITVS), The NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre, and New York State Council on the Arts.