IF BIRDS BELIEVED IN GOD
2025 - Political/Psychological Drama
Made in Association with New York University
A Palestinian man strives to be a photographer in New York City, but experiences surreal psychological visions as he struggles with generational trauma.
The story follows a day in the life of Ismail, a Palestinian photographer who’s American life and upbringing was ultimately dictated by his grandfather becoming a refugee in the 1948 Palestine Nakba. The driving force of the story revolves around when Ismail’s mother gifts him a Keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian scarf, symbolizing his internal struggle between being ashamed and proud of his cultural heritage - all of this with the ominous backdrop of rising Palestinian murders.
Written and Directed by:
SAMER SAIFAN
Produced by:
DARREN ZENG
NATALIA HESS
SAMER SAIFAN
Director of Photography:
ANDREW LIN
ADAM BUDRON
NASSER FARIS
VERACITY BUTCHER
JADE ZIANE
LEYLA MODIRZADEH
EYAS ELKHATEEB
RON FALLICA
MARTIN PFEFFERKORN
Starring:
Ismail
Muhammad
Leila
Khalid
Farha
Young Boy
INTERVIEWER (ISAAC)
Shooter
ADAM BUDRON
NIDA FARHOUD
SABINA MASCHI
MAYA ALZABEN
DONG HUIMIN
ANDREW DAHREDDINE
AVA SEXTON
BLAKE HARDY
Co Producer:
Assistant Director:
Script Supervisor:
Production Designer:
Art Assistant:
Casting:
SFX Make Up:
Ismail Costume Designer:
HUGO BOUCARD
KELLY WANG
HIPPOLYTE CHARLUT
MARLO IRANI
VINCENT LE CHAFFOTEC
ROMAIN MENEGON
1st Assistant Camera:
2nd Assistant Camera:
Gaffer:
Key Grip:
Grip:
JENNIFER FANG
AMINA HAMAWY
Sound Mixer:
RIEL LEWIS
JONATHAN SILVERMAN
Boom Operator:
PROFESSOR DAVID ROSFELD
HAFEZ & ADALAH HAFEZ
NIDAL & AMANI BARAKAT
THAER & FATEN MAHMOUD
Special Thanks to:
JACOB MICHAEL DEAN
ROY GE
ANDREA NGUYEN
OLIVIA HART
KELLY WANG
Truck Driver:
Bird Wrangler:
Animal Safety Rep:
BTS Photos:
DONORS LIST
Thank you for the donations!
Thank you for the donations!
OSAMA & SALAM SAIFAN
HAFEZ & ADALAH HAFEZ
AMANI & ABDUL BARAKAT
THAER & FATEN MAHMOUD
Zeyad Elalami
Dr. Lirio Mahmoud
Dr. Said F Mahmoud
Nader Barakat
Nidal Barakat
Adel Barakat
Mazen Hafez
Anthony Davanzo
Blake hardy
Zeina Mahmoud
Zishan Mustafa
Ahmad Hussein
Rami Saifan
Yaseen Saifan
Ben Sessing
Tina Sarkar
Alexandra LeMosle
Francesco Lacopino
Vicki Hersh
Rami Elghandour
Shaker Eissa
Alice Ibrahim
Abby Garcia
Maya Al Zaben
Michel Shehadeh
Kunal Patrawala
Gabriela Polo
Malik Bader
Mirvat Yacoub
Abraham Saifan
Dana Saifan
Fadil Mahmoud
Farid F Salameh
Amal Charara
Luca Lodolo
Baraa Dalaq
