#Sandra Itäinen

[13thgenfilm]

Sandra Itäinen's documentary COMING AROUND is headed to San Francisco this Thursday for its U.S. Premiere, screening at the Castro Theatre at 1pm as part of Frameline 47. (online from 06/24-07/02)

Get tickets: 👉 https://bit.ly/41P8jld

In anticipation of its premiere, check out some of the recent press and interviews:

Queer Guru review by José Mayorga :: link ::

Gay Sonoma's Gary Carnivele interviews Sandra Itäinen :: link ::

Celluoid Dreams' Tim Sika interviews Sandra Itäinen :: link ::

13th Gen’s Marc Smolowitz is proud to be an Executive Producer of COMING AROUND.  

[13thgenfilm]

** WORLD PREMIERE ** Marc Smolowitz and 13th Gen are thrilled to announce the World Premiere of feature documentary COMING AROUND!

Directed by Sandra Itäinen, produced by Chelsi Bullard, and executive produced by Marc, Fawz Mirza, and Andria Wilson, the film will screen in the Newcomers Competition at this year's 25th Thessaloniki International Film Festival in Greece in March.

Read the full press release: 👉 https://bit.ly/13thGenAtTiDF25

It's such an honor to make this announcement, especially given that this festival is recognized worldwide as one of the most prestigious documentary showcases in Europe, and it's Oscar-qualifying too! So please stay close in the coming days and weeks as we document the many milestones from the festival journey of COMING AROUND! ❤️🏳️‍🌈🎬

[13thgenfilm]

"This fresh take on coming out eloquently avoids the trope of vilifying the religious mother to a depiction that is nuanced, thoughtful, and always comes back to shared respect and love." — Gary Carnivele, We The People / Gay Sonoma

We’re excited to announce the L.A. Premiere of Sandra Itäinen’s documentary COMING AROUND, screening on Saturday, July 22nd at 7:30pm as part of Outfest Los Angeles. ❤️🏳️‍🌈🎬

TICKETS & DETAILS: 👉 https://bit.ly/3Nop5T0

Produced by Chelsi Bullard, and executive produced by Fawzia Mirza, Andria Wilson Mirza, and Marc Smolowitz, the film follows 28-year-old Eman as she weighs the decision to come out to her devout Muslim mother.

Stay close in the coming days and weeks as we continue to CELEBRATE the festival journey of COMING AROUND!

[13thgenfilm]

Sending a big THANK YOU to Frameline for an incredible U.S. premiere of Sandra Itäinen’s groundbreaking documentary COMING AROUND! We couldn't have asked for a better festival to celebrate this important milestone in our film's journey. Let's keep centering and celebrating queer muslim voices in our LGBTQIA communities! ❤️🏳️‍🌈🎬

Now through July 2nd, you can watch COMING AROUND virtually in Frameline's Digital Screening Room: 👉 https://bit.ly/41P8jld

📷 Photos: Zach Franzen for Frameline

[13thgenfilm]

We’re excited to announce the * North American Premiere * of Sandra Itäinen’s COMING AROUND, screening as part of the “Rated Y For Youth” program on Tuesday, May 9th at 12:15pm at DOXA Documentary Film Festival in Vancouver, Canada. ❤️🏳️‍🌈🎬

Produced by Chelsi Bullard, and executive produced by Marc Smolowitz, Fawz Mirza, and Andria Wilson, the film follows 28-year-old Eman as she weighs the decision to come out to her devout Muslim mother.

Watch the trailer: 👉 https://vimeo.com/804515658

Screening details: 👉 https://bit.ly/ComingAroundAtDoxa

[13thgenfilm]

We had a wonderful * world premiere * of Sandra Itäinen’s COMING AROUND in Greece at Thessaloniki International Film Festival, made extra special by the presence of Eman & Fatten, daughter and mother respectively, and centerpiece characters of the film. ❤️🏳️‍🌈🎬

Produced by Chelsi Bullard, and executive produced by Marc Smolowitz, Fawz Mirza, and Andria Wilson, the film follows 28-year-old Eman as she weighs the decision to come out to her devout Muslim mother, Fatten.

Watch the trailer: 👉 https://youtu.be/of6mMxgnZ6A

Stay close for more updates from this team in the coming days and weeks.

[13thgenfilm]

This past October, COMING AROUND took home the audience award at NewFest for Best Documentary Feature, and the Director's Choice Award at Cinema Diverse, Palm Springs' LGBTQ Film Festival.

Congratulations to our team, director/producer/editor Sandra Itäinen, producer Chelsi Bullard, EPs Fawz Mirza and Andria Wilson, and to our most amazing centerpiece stars, Eman Abdelhadi and her mother Fatten!

Catch a virtual encore for award winners, running Nov. 24th-30th: 👉 https://newfest.org/nf35-encores

Follow the film's festival journey into 2024 at comingaroundfilm.com and for more fall news from Marc Smolowitz and 13th Gen, check out our latest newsletter: 👉 https://bit.ly/4779wYE ❤️🎬

[13thgenfilm]

We have two films screening at this year's Cinema Diverse Film Festival in Palm Springs this weekend!

COMING AROUND - centerpiece feature directed by Sandra Itäinen Friday, September 29th, 7:45pm

NARROW PATH TO HAPPINESS - U.S. Premiere directed by Kata Oláh Saturday, September 30th, 5pm

🎟️ Tickets & details: https://psculturalcenter.org/filmfest

[13thgenfilm]

We're so excited to share that COMING AROUND is an official selection at this year’s Frameline 47! ❤️🏳️‍🌈🎬

Randy Myers of The Mercury News gave it a favorable review and included the documentary in his round-up of must-see films at this year's FL47 festival: 👉 https://bit.ly/3CwzZAZ

Directed by Sandra Itäinen, COMING AROUND will have its U.S. Premiere on June 22nd at 1pm. Details: 👉 https://bit.ly/41P8jld

Filmmakers will be in attendance at the Castro Theatre - please join us! Following the in-person festival, COMING AROUND will be available virtually June 24th - July 2nd.

[13thgenfilm]

Marc Smolowitz and 13th Gen are excited to announce that two of our documentary films have been selected to screen as part of this year’s Frameline 47 - WHO I AM NOT (Centerpiece Documentary) and COMING AROUND (U.S. Premiere). ❤️🏳️‍🌈🎬 

🎥 Directed by Tünde Skovrán, WHO I AM NOT screens June 21st at 3pm. Details: 👉 https://bit.ly/3pTwstC

🎥 Directed by Sandra Itäinen, COMING AROUND will have its US Premiere on June 22nd at 1pm. Details: 👉 https://bit.ly/41P8jld

Filmmakers will be in attendance at both screenings at the Castro Theatre! Following the in-person festival, both films will be available virtually June 24th - July 2nd.

[13thgenfilm]

We're excited for the * world premiere * of Sandra Itäinen's COMING AROUND, screening in the “Newcomers” International Competition on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival. ❤️🏳️‍🌈🎬

Produced by Chelsi Bullard, and executive produced by Marc Smolowitz, Fawz Mirza, and Andria Wilson, the film follows 28-year-old Eman as she weighs the decision to come out to her devout Muslim mother.

Watch the trailer: 👉 https://youtu.be/of6mMxgnZ6A

Screening details: 👉 https://bit.ly/3ZHycTi

[13thgenfilm]

*** TODAY'S BIG NEWS // NEW PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENT *** 

Sometimes in my work in the film business, an incredibly strong project with an equally strong and compelling team will find its way into my orbit, and it becomes clear to me that my company and the way that we work here at 13th Gen can be of service to the goals of the filmmakers. With that, I am absolutely delighted and honored to announce that in recent weeks I have become Executive Producer on an absolutely gorgeous feature documentary called Coming Around, now in post-production.

Directed, Produced, and Edited by Sandra Itäinen, and produced by Chelsi Bullard, COMING AROUND tells the moving story of Eman, a Queer Muslim scholar, and activist based in Brooklyn, NY who navigates the treacherous waters of "coming out" to her devoutly religious mother. It is certainly no secret that there are so few films that center or affirm the lives of Queer Muslim people. Through Eman's story, COMING AROUND aims to convey the beauty and complexity of these intersectional identities. It is also quite simply a beautiful and familiar mother-daughter love story, one that reminds us of the often unseen intricacies inside the "coming out" journey and the importance of seeking common ground with family, especially in religious communities.

For my part, I make the decision to jump on to film projects for all kinds of reasons, many of which are driven by the people involved, the storytelling and creative opportunities, and of course how it fits into the overall vision and values of my business. On this one, it is a combination of all of those things, and so much more. And, it is also the unique opportunity to stand proudly with other diverse filmmakers and communities as an ally in the struggle to improve society for all of us.

THANK YOU to Sandra and Chelsi for inviting me to join you on the journey of completing and releasing this fantastic and important film!

*** HOW YOU CAN HELP US FINISH THE FILM ****

If like me, you're passionate about supporting and unleashing the best of our diverse LGBTQ+ stories and voices, I invite you to learn more about COMING AROUND today and to consider supporting the film with a personal donation at whatever level makes sense for you at this time. We are right now raising funds to complete the film on Seed&Spark, and you can show your support by making a donation to our campaign here: https://seedandspark.com/fund/coming-around

THANK YOU! XOXO