“Streets Raised Us. Horses Saved Us.”
This film shines a light on the incredible work of the Compton Cowboys and the Compton Jr. Equestrians — keeping kids off the streets and on horses while building family, resilience, and hope in the heart of LA.
Heart of Compton is now fiscally sponsored by From the Heart Productions, Inc. This opens the door for bigger impact — more screenings, deeper outreach, and amplifying the voices of the next generation of riders. To support this project and the young riders whose stories inspire it, you can make your tax-deductible donation at www.tinyurl.com/heartofcompton
Heart of Compton is currently in the running for the Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF), whose programming team recently shared the following feedback:
“Compton Cowboys is a very inspirational film. Almost made me cry. To see those babies bonding with horses is beautiful. It’s a good look for Compton—it’s known for gangsta rap, now it will be given a new brilliant identity. I will recommend we screen it. Very moving. God bless them.”
This trailer offers a glimpse into my forthcoming feature documentary, currently in production.
Learn more by listening to our interview on the FilmSessions Podcast or read our story at The Video Consortium.
Growing Up in America: Life After the Taliban is a passion project sparked by necessity. It is informed by 9+ years in humanitarian and emergency response work with Afghan refugees, from refugee camps across Europe to the California coast. It is co-directed by my friend, Najaf Ali Mohammady, who I met in Fort Bliss, Texas on assignment with the International Rescue Committee shortly after his evacuation from Kabul.
Made possible with support from CNN+ Film Independent and Bay Area Video Coalition. Please follow the link below to make a tax deductible donation to this important project. Follow us for updates @lifeaftertalib_doc.
AWARDS FOR OUR SHORT FILM:
Best Humanitarian Film, San Francisco International Film Awards
Best Social Justice, Rome International Short Festival
Film For Change Award Winner, Youth Collective Awards at Lincoln Center, New York City
Best Documentary Short, Portland New Alternative Voices
Finalist, London Women Film Festival, Student World Impact Film Festival, Lift-Off Filmmaker Sessions
Best First-Time Director, San Jose Independent Film Festival
Official Selection, British Indie Film & Music Festival, Geneva International Film Festival,
Semi-Finalist, Berlin Shorts Awards, Seattle Filmmaker Awards, Sacramento Independent Film Festival, New Orleans International Film Awards, Chicago Filmmaker Awards
CNN + Film Independent, 2021 Documentary Series Intensive Fellow
Coming soon in partnership with Routed Magazine & iDiaspora...
At just nine and seven years old, Zahra and Masoma Mohammady stood before U.S. Marines at Kabul’s airport, clutching their little brother’s U.S. passport. Amid gunfire and the crush at the gates on 15 August 2021, their words became the lifeline that saved their family. Their insistence opened a pathway onto an evacuation flight and out of Taliban-controlled Afghanistan — back to their home in Sacramento, California. You can watch their extraordinary story unfold in Sisters: From Kabul to California, a film co-created with the girls and their family.
Read the full story at Routed Magazine.
“It is truly encouraging to see minority voices being highlighted within the Afghan diaspora. The Hazara people have a deeply complicated history within Afghanistan, and I find it especially interesting to observe how migration alters the dynamics among groups leaving the country, often leading to them joining together outside in unexpected ways.” — Mehria Nessar, Their Story Is Our Story
Anwar is an intimate sci-fi short about a mother who chooses to live forever and a son who longs for heaven by award-winning Director Fawaz Al-Matrouk, starring Kerry Bishé (Argo, Halt & Catch Fire) and Jay Abdo (Queen of the Desert). I served on set as an Assistant Director, BTS photographer, and Drone Operator, supporting production, scheduling, and aerial cinematography. I contributed to the film’s fundraising push by creating behind-the-scenes content, interviewing the cast and crew to craft a series of story-driven videos that captured the film’s heart and vision.
See my behind the scenes photography below.
SpiritHorse: After years lost to addiction, a former team roping champion finds redemption in the saddle—raising her grandkids and rebuilding her community through the healing power of horses.
Set against the rugged beauty of American Canyon, Northern California, this intimate short film explores family, community, and second chances. Through honesty and heart, it reveals how one woman’s fight for redemption inspires hope in everyone around her. Official Selection, Equus Film and Arts Festival 2025.
