The Power of Film, Television & Comedy as Agents for Social Change: A Conversation with the Creators of Little Mosque on the Prairie
- Date
- September 29, 2021
- Time
- 7:00 PM EDT - 8:00 PM EDT
- Location
- Online via Zoom
- Contact
- Rosemary Quinlan (rosemary.quinlan@torontomu.ca)
Hosted by: The Creative School (formerly the Faculty of Communication and Design)
Now, more than ever film, television and comedy are important agents for social change. Join us for a conversation with Zarqa Nawaz, Journalism ’92, creator of the renowned CBC comedy, Little Mosque on the Prairie, the world’s first sitcom about a Muslim family living in the West. Zarqa, joined by Michael Kennedy, Image Arts ’78, an award winning film and television director, who directed the entire first season of Little Mosque on the Prairie, will explore the use of film, television, and specifically the genre of comedy to transform cultural and social norms and institutions.
Speakers
Michael Kennedy, IMA ’78 is an award-winning Canadian filmmaker, director, producer, writer, cinematographer, and photographer. He has directed 17 feature-length theatrical films or TV movies and over 230 episodes of prime-time network drama and comedy, including pilots for 14 different tv shows. He also directed the entire first season of the hit CBC tv show Little Mosque on the Prairie, created by Zarqa Nawaz.
Zarqa Nawaz, RSJ ’92 is an award-winning Canadian film and television producer, published author, public speaker, journalist, and former broadcaster. In 2007, Zarqa created the renowned CBC comedy Little Mosque on the Prairie, the world’s first sitcom about a Muslim family living in the West. The show premiered to the highest CBC ratings in over 20 years and went on to win several awards, including a Gemini. It is now broadcast in over 60 countries.