Name: Yasir Masood

Recipient Year: 2021

Sponsor: ISF Film Grant

Name of Film: Istikhaara, New York

Description: Yasir is a New York based, Texas raised, and Pakistani born self-taught filmmaker creating work that explores migration, masculinity, and identity in Muslim-American communities. My goal as an artist is to redefine the Muslim image in popular culture, to one that is nuanced, human, and more honest to our experience. I believe in a collaborative approach to filmmaking and I try to apply the working class mentality that I inherited to everything I do. My first film, The Last Hunt, premiered at the Austin Film Festival '17. I wrote and directed SHENJI458, a finalist in the original series competition at the Austin Film Festival '18, and most recently premiered Markings at the Oscar Qualifying, Los Angeles Asian American FF. I am currently a Brand Manager for XTR, a premium documentary studio based in LA and Documentary+, a nonfiction streaming platform.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasir-masood-5853ab191/