QUESTION#1: What excited you the most when making this film?: Someone once told me that before you decide on an idea for a film, you need to "date it" for a while and make sure you can fall in love with it. Because you're going to be living, eating and sleeping with it for a long time. And it's so true because there will be days when making your film is really, really hard. ULTIMATE CITIZENS is a story that is so inspiring, quirky and heartfelt. Our protagonist, Jamshid Khajavi, is a funny, fiery “Mr. Rogers” for our time, a school counselor who uses the sport of Ultimate Frisbee to help children heal and find belonging. Most of the kids spotlighted in the story are from immigrant families and I think this film has never been more resonant or timely.

QUESTION#2: What was the most significant film you've seen AT THE THEATER in 2024, and how did it influence your filmmaking?: I’ve seen so many great films this past year on the festival circuit, but the one that probably moved me the most was “Cedrid and Omar: If this Ever Gets Weird.” The film was made with hundreds of hours of home video footage, and it’s an intimate look at a lifelong friendship between two men who are creative partners in the band, The Mars Volta. It’s visually inventive, and so raw and beautiful that I couldn’t help but love the protagonists for their bravery as artists and barer of souls. The story is masterfully told, and it’s a film that makes me want to lean into more stylistic risks in my own filmmaking.

QUESTION#3: What's an obvious and not-so-obvious question someone might ask about your film?: Jamshid is passionate about Ultimate Frisbee, but it’s just one of many ways he teaches empathy, conflict resolution, and resilience. And especially belonging. You often hear Jamshid saying to people, “I’m so glad you’re here,” and he really means it. In a divided country that’s in conflict around so many things, Jamshid shows how to make a community more welcoming for everyone.

QUESTION#4: A magic movie genie is giving you an unlimited budget for your next production! However, you're only allowed to use it on either "above line" or "below line" resouces. Which do you choose and why?: Below the line of course.

QUESTION#5: What is it about your current movie that will influence your next film?: I haven’t started my next film yet because I’m still too busy with ULTIMATE CITIZENS. My distributor Bullfrog Films has just launched a strategic impact campaign (https://ultimatecitizens.com/impact/) and we're excited to be doing a nationwide series of screenings, dialogues and creative events.

Social media tags to share with our readers:

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