This month, Kufi Productions and our team hosted our very first Kufi Circle. A project that has been in the works for awhile.

The idea was born when we noticed a real gap in our community: there simply aren’t enough spaces where people across different generations can come together to learn, collaborate, and network. While incredible organizations offer fantastic community hubs, we saw a need for a space tailored to both youth and adults that bridges the gap between community gathering and creative career development.

That’s where Kufi Circle comes in.

Whether you’re looking to break into the creative industry or pivot into a new artistic path, this space is for you. Ever since the pandemic, so many people experienced job shifts some went back to their old routines, while others realized they wanted to pursue what they truly love. We want to be a launchpad and a network. Whether your passion is film, videography, photography, animation, or any other artistic medium, Kufi Circle exists to connect you with the right people to help you move forward.

Insights from Our Guest Speakers

For our launch event, we were honored to host two incredible guest speakers who brought so much passion and generosity to the room:

• Nawal, co-founder of the New York Muslim Film Festival, who shared her journey in festival curation and supporting Muslim filmmakers.
• Tawsif, a passionate filmmaker whose short film recently premiered on the big screen at the Bengali Film Festival.

Both speakers were beyond generous with their knowledge. I loved seeing Tawsif get everyone hands-on, showing us the exact techniques and behind-the-scenes magic he used to capture specific scenes in his film.

The Heart Behind the Work

As many of you know, Kufi Productions is still young. We’re actively building our network by showing up, attending local events, and supporting other organizations.

Building a sustainable model for our events is a top priority, and while we’re actively seeking funding and sponsorships to fairly compensate our creators, hosting events on a budget isn’t easy. We are immensely grateful to our speakers who gave their time, energy, and wisdom free of charge to support this vision and invest in our growing community.

To be completely honest, it takes a lot of courage to step into new spaces where you don’t know many people. But the beauty of showing up as my authentic self and seeking out others who align with our mission has been deeply heartening. I’m learning that the right people will always show up when the intention is pure. Those who aren’t there yet simply don’t know what we’re bringing to the table and that’s okay!

In Islam, we are constantly reminded of the strength that comes from collective effort and unity rather than trying to do everything alone or gatekeeping space:

Surah Al-Anbiya (21:92):

“Indeed, this community of yours is one community, and I am your Lord, so worship Me.”

Surah Aal-E-Imran (3:103):

“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.”

Both of these verses serve as a direct call to unity, mutual support, and working together so that we can all succeed as a collective.

What’s Next for Kufi Circle

This inaugural event was just the beginning. Kufi Circle was designed to open doors, offering opportunities to sign up for upcoming hands-on workshops with industry mentors who are eager to give back.

Please stay tuned for future Kufi Circle gatherings! We’ll be bringing in guest speakers from across different creative fields to inspire, mentor, and encourage you on your journey.

Thank you to everyone who supported our very first circle we can’t wait to grow together!