American 11
TFI Suppport
TFI Network 2020
Logline
Nabeel is a 17-year old B-average student from Boston, content making beats with his best friend. When he loses his mother on September 11th, 2001, he must navigate his new-found identity as an American, who happens to be Muslim, in the aftermath of the attacks.
Shayain Lakhani
Director, Co-screenwriter
Shayain Lakhani is a First-Generation Muslim-American writer and director whose parents immigrated to the States from Karachi, Pakistan. Although born in Houston, Texas, Shayain was not able to settle down as a child. His family relocated to five different states during his childhood and adolescence, providing him with various cultural experiences.
Darren Dean
Producer
Darren Dean is a producer and writer, known for Tangerine, Prince of Broadway and Kinyarwanda. He’s executive producing Sean Baker’s upcoming feature and developing Will Eisner's graphic novel A Contract with God for the screen.
Devon Solwold
Co-screenwriter, Editor
Devon Solwold is an emerging filmmaker whose primary focus is writing, directing, and editing. He’s considered himself incredibly lucky to know that his purpose is to forward humanity through thoughtful filmmaking. Leaving an audience unanimously content at the conclusion of a film isn’t enough; Devon wants his work to promote an honest dialogue that resonates within a more conscious community. As a storyteller, his mission is to instigate social change by creating compelling, nuanced narratives that shed empathy on characters whose stories deserve to be told. Needless to say, he was attracted to co-writing AMERICAN 11 from the get-go. Presenting this narrative will spark conversations that lead the audience to more mutual respect and understanding of all identities. His past work has received accolades coast-to-coast, including the 2013 No-Bull Film Festival, the 2016 YoungArts Program, the 2019 Coca-Cola Regal Films Grand-Prize, and two 2019 NATAS Student Southeast Emmy nominations.
Liz Kraushaar
Producer
Liz has gained a reputation for her tenacity, having produced an array of award-winning films and commercials that all display ambition, and a clear artistic statement. For her, film is a powerful and personal art form used to shed light on new perspectives, foster hope, and create culture. She’s produced works such as the 2019 Coca-Cola / Regal Films first place winner, CHOOSE HAPPY, the apocalyptic action-drama THE FRAY, and SHERRI?, which premiered in Times Square, NY in 2017.
Ben Schexnaydre
Producer
Ben Schexnaydre is an Independent Film Producer from a small town in Louisiana that is committed to uncompromising visions that create a dialogue and foster a sense of community. Ben has produced multiple award-winning projects including THE PEAK, a short film shot entirely in Hong Kong, which won the audience choice award at the Wrap’s Shortlist in 2018.