American Eid (2021)

About American Eid

"American Eid" is a heartwarming Disney+ film that was released in 2021. The film tells the story of a Pakistani family who recently immigrated to the United States. The plot thickens when the youngest daughters, Ameena and Zainab, try to make their favorite holiday, Eid, a public holiday. Ameena, a bright 8-year-old, writes a touching letter to the school system, advocating for the recognition of the holiday. Despite facing several cultural barriers, she refuses to give up, teaching her audience a lesson about tenacity, faith, and culture.

Making / Production

The beautiful film was part of Disney's Launchpad Shorts Incubator program aimed at amplifying the voices of filmmakers from underrepresented backgrounds. "American Eid" was directed by Aqsa Altaf, who was deeply inspired by her own experiences as an immigrant. Altaf wonderfully captures the struggles of adapting to a new environment and finding a sense of belonging.

Actors

• Shanara Gabrielle as Mother - She beautifully captures the role of a Pakistani mother trying to make her children adjust to their new environment.
• Jenna Qureshi as Ameena - Giving an unforgettable performance as the determined young girl, Jenna has certainly left her mark.
• Sharina Martin as Ms. Todd - Martin convincingly portrays the role of the English teacher who supports Ameena in her plight.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• 'American Eid' is part of Disney's Launchpad, a collection of live-action shorts.
• The film is Aqsa Altaf's first project with Disney.

Quotes

• "When you miss something, it means you love something." - Ameena
• "In America, we have to make others see us." - Ameena's Mother

Music, Soundtrack

• With a backdrop of a touching story, the music and soundtrack of 'American Eid' perfectly blends with the theme bringing out the true emotions of the characters participating in the holiday celebrations.

Unfortunately, there are no major awards yet associated with the movie as of the writing of this information. Keep an eye out, however, as the film's poignant message and beautiful storytelling might earn it recognition in the near future.