Usman Ally

Now on @todayshow LINK IN BIO Loved being involved in this for AAPI Heritage Month. "The feeling of not being seen is not only tied to how we look on the outside. For me, and for many of us, we have other cultural markers that are often ignored, serving to otherize us even more. Throughout most of my career, people have struggled for some reason to pronounce the two syllables that make up my name, either through a lack of care, a lack of experience, genuine incapability, or quite simply, laziness. Every time I arrive on a set and the First Assistant Director calls out some version of my name in the walkie-talkie, I cringe, I feel anxiety and stress about the fact that my first moment on set will already be a contentious one, and I haven’t even spoken a word yet. Very soon after this moment I begin to dread that I’ll unfairly be cast aside as the difficult person of color from a faraway land who is making everyone uncomfortable by insisting his name is pronounced correctly.... " More in the article

🎇🎇 What a run it's been! Our ninth and final film festival and it promises to be a great one! Join us this Saturday the 14th for a special Valentine's celebration at @nfmla . Tickets in bio! Stick around for the post show Q & A. Come say hi to director @usmanally and lead actor @brittbaron . Come through LA! Thank you all for your support #emigreamericana #losangelesindependentfilm #shotinla #stayinla #nfmla

Okay 2023, I am ready. So is my sweater.

We’re so lucky to welcome two incredible local artists to An Evening of Film with Usman and Mouzam Makkar this Friday at Kerry Hall🎬 🎻 Kicking things off, Carnatic violinist and More Music at the Moore alum Amrutha Achalla sets the tone with a beautiful musical prelude. With captivating performances and bold fusion projects, @violinamrutha  continues to push the boundaries of classical and traditional Indian music for audiences everywhere. 🎤 After the films, stick around for a thoughtful discussion and live Q&A moderated by filmmaker Marcus Baker. Founder & Creative Director of Seattle Film Society, @marcusbakerfilm  brings his passion for storytelling and community straight to the conversation. 🥗Join us immediately after for a cozy social hour catered by local favorite @cedarsseattle . We can’t wait to share this night with you 💛tickets are $5! Register at STGPresents.org #SeattleFilm

🎬 STUCK is heading to the Arab Film Festival! 🎉 Michigan, mark your calendars! Our short film is premiering at the Arab American National Museum @arabamericanmuseum in Dearborn! 🏙️ Whether you're in Dearborn, Detroit, or anywhere across Michigan, this is your moment. Join us for a night of cinema, culture, and real stories that hit different. Cast and Crew for our short film @weareallstuck will be in attendance! 📍 May 10th | 5:40pm 🎟️ Tickets in bio See you there. We can't wait. ✨ #aanm #arabfilmfestival #michigan #dearborn #weareallstuck

ACTORS! 🎭🎬 Join acclaimed actors Usman Ally and Mouzam Makkar for an immersive Acting for the Camera Workshop designed to sharpen your audition skills and camera presence 🎥 This workshop will cover essential techniques including how to create standout self-tapes, best practices for acting on camera versus stage, and strategies for getting noticed in a competitive industry 🏆📺   📆Saturday, May 9, 10am-12pm 📍Kerry Hall (Capitol Hill, Seattle) 🧒All ages!   @usmanally is an Obie Award-winning and Emmy Award winning actor known for his dynamic work across stage and screen. His TV credits include Veep, Suits, The Pitt and A Series of Unfortunate Events, God’s Favorite Idiot, Nobodies and more. He has also voiced George Tarleton (M.O.D.O.K.) in the video game Marvel’s Avengers, Uncharted: Lost Legacy and appeared in the motion picture The Hunt, as well as countless award winning theatre productions in New York and Chicago.   @mouzammakkar is an accomplished actress known for her series regular roles in Naomi from Ava DuVernay, Champions co-created by Mindy Kaling, and ABC’s The Fix. She has also appeared in recurring roles across a range of hit series, including The Neighborhood, SEAL Team, Law & Order: SVU, NCIS, The Exorcist, and The Vampire Diaries. This workshop is a unique chance to learn from two dynamic actors who combine professional expertise with heartfelt stories of perseverance and success. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your craft, this session will equip you with practical tools and inspiration to advance your career on camera.   And make sure you also join us for An Evening of Film, Friday May 8th at Kerry Hall! 🍿 Register online at STGPresents.org #SeattleActors

It’s been a year since we shot Stuck, and we are so proud to announce we got into another festival at the @arabamericanmuseum on May 10th (link in bio). It is only right we make the pilgrimage to one of the largest Arab bases in the states. Captions are hard for me to reconcile with because they feel very flat in moments like this. This project has been so much more than just a caption. It’s been years of witnessing such brutality both here and Palestine, now Iran and Lebanon, and deeply grieving a loss of my own hero. I can say without hesitation that making something like this was nearly impossible (on a lot of different levels) but felt like the only thing I knew how to do. It helped me. And I hope it helps you too. A special shout out to everyone who has been on this journey with me from the @seedandspark campaign until now, and to @usmanally for giving this a shot. Or two 🙂. More updates soon. I hope you are finding places and people and art for love and support in this dark ass time. Xo.

🎬 Lights, camera, conversation!   Join us for a powerful evening of film and conversation with Usman Ally and Mouzam Makkar! 🍿 Enjoy special screenings of their acclaimed short films @emigreamericana and @maggies_not_okay_film , accompanied by a pop-up musical performance, a panel with the creators, and reception to round out our evening 🎥   @usmanally (Writer, Director, “EMIGRE/AMERICANA”) is an Obie Award-winning and Emmy Award winning actor known for his dynamic work across stage and screen. His TV credits include Veep, Suits, The Pitt and A Series of Unfortunate Events, and more.   @mouzammakkar (Writer, Producer, “Maggie”) is an accomplished actress known for her series regular roles in Naomi from Ava DuVernay, Champions co-created by Mindy Kaling, and ABC’s The Fix. She has also appeared in recurring roles across a range of hit series, including The Neighborhood, SEAL Team, Law & Order: SVU, NCIS, The Exorcist, and The Vampire Diaries.   This is an all ages event with a suggested ticket cost of $5! Reserve your space at STGPresents.org #SeattleFilm

I'm so proud of this film. I had the good fortune to work with @domartothemaxx on this film as a director, co-writer and producer.... It has been a labor of love, resist-ance and perseverance. And to have our world premiere of @weareallstuck at the @chipalfilmfest is just perfection. Chicago made film for our Chicago family. Let's go. We open April 14th at 8:30pm for the feature film Once Upon A Time in Gaza. 🎇🎇 Tickets in BIO. Go get yours!

Elated to announce we are part of the @chipalfilmfest at 8:30 PM on April 14th. We are very excited to be sharing the night with @allthatsleftofyoufilm , one of my favorite films of this past year (come at 6 to catch that one), along with many more talented artists. Get your tickets over at @chipalfilmfest bio beginning March 9th.Can’t wait. More announcements soon. Annnd just a quick soapbox moment: Please support live art. I know it’s easier to stay home and doomscroll but GOOD art gets you out of that. Reminds you to still be ALIVE. Especially art that is fighting against Fascism. We need people to show up. Ok soapbox moment done.

Honored to share that Emigré/Americana has been officially selected for NewFilmmakers Los Angeles. Our final screening and LA homecoming will take place February 14 at 12:00 PM—in the city where this film was made, with a community that helped shape it. 📍 1139 S Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 🚗 Paid parking: 1133 S Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 This short has traveled far, and we’re deeply grateful to everyone who has supported it along the way. We’re excited to bring it home and to continue the conversation it started—about belonging, choice, and what it means to be seen in this country. 🎟️ Tickets in bio We’re also continuing to raise funds for the feature-length expansion of Emigré/Americana. If this film has ever resonated with you, we’d love your help spreading the word. #NFMLA #NewFilmmakersLA @NFMLA @NewFilmmakersLA #EmigreAmericana #IndependentFilm #ShortFilm FilmmakersOfInstagram

🚨 TOMORROW 🚨 Our short film STUCK screens tomorrow afternoon alongside Little Arabia, Next Exit and Condom Lead. 🎟️ Limited seats. 📍 One night only. ⏳ When it’s gone, it’s gone. This is an intimate screening—RSVP now before we sell out. 👉 Link in bio.