Rolla Selbak — Founder
Rolla Selbak is a Palestinian American writer/director of film and TV, with projects previously in development at 20th Century Fox and Sony. She is a Sundance alum and Black List winner, and regularly teaches screenwriting at the UCLA Extension Writers Program.
She has previously served on the board of directors at OUTFEST, and the SAN FRANCISCO WOMEN’S FILM INSTITUTE, where she was involved in initiatives specifically geared towards nurturing a new generation of filmmakers.
Alaa Abuadas — Operations
Alaa Abuadas is a writer/director currently based in Orange County. After graduating from UCLA in Communication Studies, she began working as a production coordinator with The Red Door Films on their documentary Coming Home and TV Series FlyGirls. Additionally, Alaa worked as an outreach and distribution coordinator for the feature documentary Las Sandinistas. Her first short film, And Juliet, was selected to premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival. She is currently writing a feature film, Respire, about people living with a chronic illness called Pulmonary Hypertension.
Join Our Team
We are always seeking mentors to add to our roster of creatives who want to make a difference and support burgeoning filmmaker voices. If you are a professional in the space of writing, directing, producing or acting, and are interested in learning more, reach out to: safinafilmmakerproject@gmail.com.
Our Story
The Safina Filmmaker Project was founded by filmmaker Rolla Selbak in 2024, and provides free mentorship to filmmakers around the world, with a focus on empowering Palestinian and Arab artists in filmaking and storytelling.
Many talented filmmakers are not given the tools to tell their stories on the world stage. Industry knowledge is something that is kept closed within the institutional gates, and what Safina aims to do is share this knowledge freely, and to pay it forward.
“Safina”, in Arabic”, means ship or boat, and signifies that we, as artists, are all in the same boat, traveling on the seas of storytelling.
Connect.
Stay up to date on our latest announcements, events, and artist opportunities!