DFP Hosts Artsist in Residence Safyah Usmani

We are very excited to welcome back Safyah Usmani (MFA ’15) as an artist-in-residence from March 20-24.  Usmani is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker whose documentaries and multimedia work foster discourse on the rights of marginalized individuals. She also explores the concept of identity – how it is shaped and its correlation to societal status.

Her visit includes a screening of her award-winning film, A Life Too Short (2021), on Tuesday, March 21 from 5-6:30pm in the ZSR Auditorium. The film – which premiered on MTV – tells the story of social media superstar Qandeel Baloch who pushed boundaries in conservative Pakistan. In 2016, high on her newfound celebrity, Qandeel exposes a well-known Muslim cleric–with tragic results.

Usmani will also share her expertise and experience with the Documentary Storytelling II class, meet with DFP students to discuss their thesis films, and visit undergraduate classes.