Da Conversation
Sparrow and Finch Films is a great many things.
We <write><produce><direct> theater and digital media.
We <create> and <curate> art exhibits and community events.
We are a production company that creates and curates inspirational art and media that promotes social justice awareness and action. We are also the primary production arm of Urban Artivist Academy.
This is our visual index to showcase our projects, both big and small and whatever new creative inspirations and partnerships that are purpose aligned.
Home SOON
2021
Set at the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement, a weary mother's fears and desires for her mentally distressed son’s future hang in the balance while awaiting his arrival home. HOME SOON examines a family’s collective, and unprocessed trauma, which is often eclipsed by police violence.
HOME SOON is a snapshot of time capturing all that is, and all that was hoped for immediately prior to an all too familiar tragedy faced by many in Black communities across America.
Nina has not seen or heard from her son Troy since the previous evening. His girlfriend Simone pops over for an unexpected visit in an attempt to locate her love who has uncharacteristically “ghosted” her the night before. Our drama depicts a pivotal moment where both women, in an attempt to reroute worry, hash out their differences in how they love Troy in his absence. Their exchange reveals fears, hopes and conflicting desires all left unresolved until his anticipated return home.
Nina and TroyBoy
2020
Nina's son Troy has gone missing after an argument the night prior. His absence at his weekly meeting with his social worker puts him in direct violation of his parole agreement and further risks his freedom. With news of yet another unarmed Black man being shot by police, Nina is tempted to fear the worst and must rely on her faith for the preservation and salvation of her only child she’s struggled to raise in a "post-racial" America.
The play, Nina and Troyboy explores how mental health, racism, and religion collide to color the stark reality facing many young men, and their families across America. The play was slated to premiere at the 2020 Hollywood Fringe Festival and has had readings with Inkwell Theater's Virtual Playwright's Night and the Greater Film Fest 30 @30.
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Zyquill
2019
After working a graveyard shift, Mhy arrives home to find her roommates awake yet still unable to offer emotional support through her most recent existential crisis. In her downward spiral, she questions whether her insatiable desire to consume information has hindered her ability to sleep and authentically connect.
Zyquil is a farce, or a social statement asking the question:
At what cost will our attainment of knowledge supersede our ability to empathetically connect and thrive as humans?
Zyquil was filmed in 24 hours as part of the AT&T Create-A-Thon Los Angeles.
Zyquil is an Official Selection of the BHERC 26th Annual African-American Film Marketplace and S.E.Manly Short Film Showcase & The 2020 Youth Diversity Film Festival
Known Novice Photography Exhibition
2019
Known Novice is a submission-based annual photography exhibition highlighting mobile phone photographers from youth and senior communities throughout the San Gabriel Valley.
The event showcases the work of professional and amateur photographers exploring portraiture, photojournalistic, and nature themes.
The event's mission is to recognize untrained photographers of all ages and walks of life to extend the reach of their art beyond the mobile phone lens. It is a cultivation of cross-cultural and inter-generational conversations about visual art around San Gabriel Valley in community-based spaces.
The Life Unscripted Project
Seasons 1&2 2009-2011
The Life Unscripted Project is a teen lead web series exploring issues and themes relevant to teen life while promoting positive choice alternates to peer pressure. The series navigates police profiling, cyber-bullying, race relations and the everyday challenges of being a teen growing up in New York City.
The LifeUnscripted Project was an official selection of The Martha's Vineyard African-American Film Festival and The Urban Media Makers Festival in Atlanta, GA where it earned the Top Ten Youth Audience Award. The series was also a special featured presentation screening at the MCNY 5th Annual Short Film Festival in New York City.
BACKGROUND/BIO
CONTACT
One Sunday afternoon, I watched various birds fly in and out of the tree in my backyard. They joyfully sang to one another and playfully perched on the tree’s branches. Their song was simple and carefree, and a touching reminder of how God created us, humans, to also just "be".
And in our "being", aligned with HIS purpose, our every need will also be cared for.
The main birds were sparrows, and almost immediately the gospel," His Eye Is on the Sparrow" came to mind. But, in looking closer, alongside each sparrow, was a buddy bird accompanying it to and fro. Playfully frolicking between the leaves or leading the duo in a high-speed chase.
After Googling it, I learned that these buddy birds were called Finches. Similar in size and almost identical in markings, yet lesser known than its more popular counterpart.
I can honestly admit to times in my life where I felt more like the Finch than the Sparrow. The lesser-known and, often unnoticed one. Yet this "buddy bird" while not receiving the same acknowledgment in the world, was still very much apart of the story and still very much a priority of the Creator.
Sparrow and Finch Films' vision is to become a digital platform for the production and inclusion of those often untold and lesser-known perspectives.
Our mission is to creatively produce our "Finch" stories or the “other's” narrative of life’s journey through an unconventional path that leads to experiencing the redemptive love and unfaltering presence of God.
Our work affirms that as His Eyes are on the Sparrow, they too are on the Finch; and its song is as worthy, welcomed, and as deeply loved as it's counterpart.-
Maisha Azadi Sebastiany holds an undergraduate degree in T.V. Production from Morgan State University and an M.B.A. in Media Management from Metropolitan College of New York. She has been a BRIC Independent Producer and her work has been selected by Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival, Urban Media Makers, and the Black Hollywood Entertainment and Resource Center's African American Film Marketplace.
Lee Marvin Sebastiany's work includes both national television appearances and several regional commercials. He has appeared in numerous festivals including New York's Lower East Side Festival, The DC Fringe Festival, and the BHERC African- American Film Marketplace.