Roles for Arab/Muslim Actors in Film and TelevisionEven as the United States finds itself increasing enmeshed in the Arab/Muslim world politically, Hollywood exports a great deal of film and television programs watched in the Middle East. We are indeed the dominant cultural force in many Arab/Muslim countries. Meanwhile, Americans are finding more and more Arab/Muslim characters in their film and TV programming…

Read Andrew Gumbel's L.A. Weekly feature, Arab Adventures in Hollywood.

• How well have Arab/Muslim characters been created in the past?
• What are the biases and stereotypes that Arab/Muslim actors encounter in Hollywood?
• When will we see Arab/Muslim characters in the Middle East not as jihadi terrorists, but as dramatis personae with the same challenges and idiosyncrasies as those in Western dramas and comedies?
• How can we empower directors, writers, casting directors and producers to broaden their understanding, to help portray the complexity of Arab/Muslim characters?

Join us on Wednesday evening, January 14, 2009, when SAG and DGA members discuss the issues and we view excerpts from a range of features and documentaries. Invited panelists include actors Shohreh Aghdashloo ("House of Sand and Fog", "X-Men 3", "House of Saddam"), Maz Jobrani ("The Interpreter"), Raya Meddine ("Bosta", "CSI Miami") Omar Metwally ("Rendition", "Munich"), Oded Fehr ("The Mummy", "Sleeper Cell") and Tony Shalhoub ("The Siege", "AmericanEast"); directors Peter Berg (“The Kingdom”), Jon Favreau (“Iron Man”) and Stephen Gaghan (“Syriana”); writer Matthew Michael Carnahan (“The Kingdom”, “Lions For Lambs”); and casting director April Webster ("Lost", "Criminal Minds"). Participants subject to availability.

Shohreh Aghdashloo, Omar Metwally, Raya Meddine, Maz JobraniLevantine Cultural Center was founded in 2001 to foster a dialogue of cultures and indeed, forge an alliance of civilizations between the Arab/Muslim world and the United States. The center presents literary, visual and performing arts programs that seek to educate and entertain Americans on the Middle East and North Africa. Visit levantinecenter.org.

The program is cosponsored by SAG’s Affirmative Action and Diversity Committee, with support from SAG’s Ethnic Employment Opportunities Committee. It is also cosponsored by the Muslim Public Affair Council’s Hollywood Bureau, which is responsible for advancing Muslim American perspectives in the entertainment industry by serving as an information clearinghouse in Islam for the Hollywood community. Visit mpac.org.

Doors open 7 pm. Panel/screenings 7:30-9:00 pm, followed by a reception. SAG/DGA/WGA members free. LCC and MPAC members $10. General public $15. RSVPs/info 310.657.5511 or visit levantinecenter.org.

April Webster, Raya Meddine, Shohreh Aghdashloo

Maz Jobrani, Raya Meddine, Omar Metwally

Rebecca Tobias & Roula Alaama at the welcome table