Meet Fawzia Mirza

A She and They queer, Muslim, South Asian writer, creator, director, named a White House ‘Champion of Change’ in Asian American Art & Storytelling, '10 Filmmakers to Watch' (Independent Magazine), a 3Arts Acting Grantee, a ‘Top 10 Creative’ (Indiewire), a Djerassi Program Writing Resident, an alum of Tribeca Film Institute’s All Access Program, a Canada Council for the Arts grantee, and a Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs ‘Esteemed Artist’ grantee. She’s written short films, web series and her first feature film SIGNATURE MOVE, which she co-wrote, produced and stars in, world premiered SXSW, screened 150+ film festivals globally, won 14 awards (Outfest Grand Jury Prize, Best US Narrative), available on Amazon/itunes. Her feature MEXISTANI won first place in the Islamic Scholarship Fund and is a winner in the 2020 ‘Yes And Laughter Lab’ social justice and comedy pitch competition. Her one-woman-play-turned-screenplay was named an SFFILM Society Rainin Fellow, invited to the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Writer's Studio and is part of TIFF's 2020 Filmmaker Lab. She wrote on CBS series THE RED LINE, executive produced by Greg Berlanti and Ava Duvernay. Her episode marked the first gay, Muslim romance on network TV. Her latest short film she wrote/directed I KNOW HER is touring festivals in 2020 (Palm Springs Short Fest, BFI Flare, Outfest, AmPav Cannes) and was picked as one of nine films to air on CBC’s ‘Short Film Face-Off’ $30,000 short film competition in October 2020. She's writer/director of NOOR & LAYLA, a new queer, Muslim short film in association with CBC Gem, set to shoot in Toronto 2020.

Q+A

What do you know for sure? 

Everything in life is temporary. Love is strength. And MSG should be illegal.

What inspires you? 

Connection to others. Endless Possibility. And unicorns. 

What don’t people know about you? 

I played the french horn for 6 years. My favorite pair of socks have dinosaurs on them. I love bad pirate jokes.

What is your favorite place to travel to? 

Korean Spas. After my first visit to one in Seoul, Korea, I became obsessed. There is one near Chicago in Niles, IL called King Spa & Sauna.

What do you believe? 

Self-love is a springboard to happiness. We never stop learning. Making fun of vulnerable or weak people is not funny.

Have you ever stolen anything? 

When I was in high school, I once stole a bottle of Strawberry Hill Boones Farm wine from a grocery store. I saved $2. 

Who do you admire? 

My sister. She is an architect and an artist and has channeled her energy into her art and her community work to fight and live with her Multiple Sclerosis. 

If we came over for dinner what would you prepare for us? 

I’d make you Pakistani food: channa masala, jhinga salaan and phallis (chick peas, shrimp curry and green beans) served with rice. And whatever wine you bring over. We would eat with our hands or a fork if you like. And if you’re nice, i might feed you. 

If you had to change careers what would you want to do? 

Professional Chef, NHL Hockey Player or Fire Dancer

What do you suck at? 

Sleeping. Taking Vacations. Making sense in text messages.

Want more? Follow Fawzia on Twitter, her website or Facebook.