Do you want to explore new ways of thinking, communicating, and living? Are you ready to confront yourself with provocative topics?   Do you want inspiration? Do you want to live a bolder life? If you answer all these questions with a strong YES! then only one question is left: How could you not come to Denver this December?!

This question is asked by our Festival Production Manager  Shaima Shabaz. She  speaks about why her life-art is perfect matching to the vision and mission of BolderLife Festival.

Shaima, you are new in our  BolderLife-Family. How did you get involved to BolderLife Festival?

Shaima: I’ve been friends with Erin for many years now.  A few years ago a mutual friend of ours told me that Erin was working on creating a Film Festival and that I should check it out. Because of work and travel I was unable to attend the first year, but I made it to a handful of screenings and talk-backs the second year. I was deeply moved and inspired by the films and speakers. I felt proud of Erin and grateful to her staff for working so hard to make it happen. While catching up with Erin over this last summer she mentioned that she could use some extra help with this year’s festival. I jumped at the opportunity to work with such a mission-driven and dedicated staff, so here I am.

Why do you believe in the vision and the mission/vision of BolderLife Festival?

Shaima: BolderLife’s Vision is very broad, but the main goal is to cultivate a space and society where diversity is met with openness, and individual truth and authenticity are valued and respected. It articulates a striving to understand the world and everyone’s experience in it, and encourages mindful and inclusive responses to conflict. This is the kind of world I want to live in, and the kind of society I know we can create. But creating it begins by first working at the individual level. This is precisely what the mission and the festival work toward. Through BolderLife’s films, talks, and workshops, people are exposed and provoked to discuss sometimes difficult topics/issues, and then inspired to be involved in their solutions. To foster this process through the arts makes it a very human experience, with potentially longer lasting effects. I’m a strong believer of using the arts to build community and empower individuals. Because of this the vision and mission of BolderLife Festival simply make perfect sense to me.

What is your job in the team of BolderLife? What are you doing within the next weeks?

Shaima: As Production Manager for the festival I will be working closely with Erin to gain more sponsors, promote the Student Outreach Program and work out the details of the festival program and related events. As we get closer to the actual festival, I will be supporting the directors and managers to ensure that they are able to do their jobs as best they can, and will be involved with on-site set up and management as well as recruiting and training our volunteers.

What are you doing if you are not working for BolderLife Festival?

Shaima: In my spare time I volunteer for a nonprofit called Afghans4Tomorrow and make humble attempts to write songs for my band The Last Emperor.

What do you expect from the festival films and plays?

Shaima: I expect nothing less than a selection of films/plays that will move and inspire their audiences.

What would you say to the world:  Why should people come to the festival?

Shaima: Our media is run by large conglomerates that have vested interests in our thinking/feeling in a way that suits their profit driven interests. This makes it ever more important to expose oneself to independently produced film/theater. Engagement with organizations and events that bring a diverse group of artists together to express eclectic points of view lends itself to genuine self growth and individual empowerment. How could you not come?!

What are you looking forward to mostly?

Shaima: Apart from having our whole team gathered together on site during the festival, I’m looking forward to being inspired by the films/plays/speakers and meeting the people who strive to get their art and message out to the world.

Have fun! Thank you, Shaima!