CREATIVE TEAM

Fawzia
​Mirza

DIRECTOR

Fawzia Mirza (she/they) is a queer, South Asian Muslim director/writer who believes in the power of comedy to tackle divisive topics and breakdown stereotypes. They were named a White House ‘Champion of Change’ in Asian American Art & Storytelling, a ‘Top 10 Creative’ (Indiewire), '10 Filmmakers to Watch' (Independent Magazine), and an alum of Tribeca Film Institute’s All Access Program. She co-wrote/produced/starred in SIGNATURE MOVE, wrote on CBS series THE RED LINE, from Greg Berlanti & Ava Duvernay, wrote and directed on the award-winning TikTok series HIDDEN CANYONS, and wrote/the CBC produced short, NOOR & LAYLA. Mirza wrote/will direct the feature film ME, MY MOM & SHARMILA in 2022, and is part of the 2021/2022 cohort of the Canadian Academy Directors Program for Women.

Kausar Mohammed

WRITER AND PRODUCER

Kausar Mohammed is a South Asian writer, actress, and comedian. Mohammed currently stars as Dr. Meena Dhawan a.k.a. Fast Track on The CW series THE FLASH, and recently starred as Soraya Abbas on The CW series 4400. She starred in Paul Feig's series “EAST OF LA BREA” and voices Yaz, one of the fan favorite lead characters, on Dreamworks and Amblin’s hit show JURASSIC WORLD: CAMP CRETACEOUS).

Mohammed’s standout performance as Rakhi in COFFEE SHOP NAMES is currently streaming on HBO MAX. Mohammed is a writer/performer in the distinguished all-South Asian sketch comedy troupe The Get Brown, who is currently developing various film and series projects, and performed two seasons of continuously sold-out shows at Upright Citizen's Brigade LA. Other credits include WHAT MEN WANT (Paramount), LITTLE (Universal), SILICON VALLEY (HBO), BLACK LIGHTNING (The CW), and CAROL’S SECOND ACT (CBS). Mohammed was also a featured talent in the ViacomCBS Diversity Showcase 2021. Kausar also is the co-founder of SHIFT, a racial and gender equity consulting group created by women of color. 

Amalia
​Mesa-Gustin

PRODUCER

Amalia Mesa-Gustin (she/they) is a film producer and managing director of SpeakOut - The Institute for Democratic Education and Culture. Born in La Habana, Cuba, and raised in Oakland, CA, Amalia comes from a long line of artists, activists, and storytellers. She spent a decade working on film and television productions in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and San Francisco, helping to develop and produce projects for HBO, Universal, Marvel Studios, 20th Century Fox, BET, and National Geographic, among others. Now, Amalia uses her experiences across the film industry and social impact sector to bring media projects to life that exist at the intersection of social justice, education and culture, and to amplify often overlooked resources, talent, and stories. She is a graduate of UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television.