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Filmmaker and Northwestern University professor Marco Williams (left) in a discussion with Georgetown University professor and commentator Michael Dyson.
On February 28th, 2020, QAI hosted “Fostering Multiculturalism in Film: Reflections & Lessons as a Film Professor in the Arab World” with renowned filmmaker and former Northwestern University professor Marco Williams at its Washington D.C. office. The program was moderated by Georgetown professor Michael Dyson, who serves as a regular commentator on National Public Radio, MSNBC, and CNN. Professor Williams discussed his teaching experience while at Northwestern University’s Qatar campus. As part of his discussion, Williams exhibited his students’ short series Naseeb. Naseeb examines the plight of a young woman as she pursues her dream of becoming an architect against the wishes of her mother, who instead wants her to get married. The screening of the series served as a jumping-off
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point for the two academics as they discussed how the students’ creation served as a reflection of the complexity within various parts of Arabian Gulf society and the greater Muslim world. Other aspects of the discussion centered around issues of patriarchy in both the West and the East, how one can teach without allowing Western bias to seep into the classroom, and how to best discuss sensitive issues through the usage of film as a medium. The event received coverage through The Washington Informer, a prominent national magazine based in Washington that caters to the large African American community within the United States.
Prior to February 20th In preparation for the event, a social media campaign was created and disseminated through organic and inorganic channels. Graphics and animations were created to be shared through QAI’s social media platforms. In conjunction with this organic effort, a promotional social media campaign promoted the event through Facebook. Promotional material was targeted at a unique subset of the population that would statistically illustrate the highest level of interest for the event. In addition to social media, select organizations and individuals within the Washington area were also contacted and informed about the event.
“[My students and I] spent a lot of time reflecting on what it meant for them to be who they are, on the cusp of becoming who they wish to be.” —Marco Dyson, filmmaker and former Northwestern University Qatar professor.
@QatarAmerica | qataramerica.org
