NYWIFT Blog

#Muse40for40: Maysoon Zayid (2018)
November 10, 2019   |      |   busyk

We’re counting down the 40 days to NYWIFT’s 40th Anniversary Muse Awards with a look at some of our favorite honorees, all women of vision and achievement who have contributed to the film and television industry. Join us as we look back at #Muse40for40, and buy your tickets for the Muse Awards on Tuesday, December 10th at nywift.org/muse!

#30: Maysoon Zayid

By Kathryn O’Kane

Actor, writer, comedian and activist Maysoon Zayid co-founded and co- produced the New York Arab American Comedy Festival and The Muslim Funny Fest. Zayid had the most viewed TED Talk of 2014. She has also appeared in a variety of documentaries and movies including You Don’t Mess with the Zohan and The Muslims are Coming! She is an ambassador for the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, a frequent news commentator and walked in New York Fashion Week. Zayid is developing a comedy series for ABC network titled Can-Can, which is based on her personal experiences.

Urging the hiring of more people with disabilities: “If you can’t see it, you can’t be it. Make a pledge today to make your lives inclusive.”

PUBLISHED BY

busyk

busyk Kathryn O'Kane is a producer/director with over fifteen years of diverse experience in television, advertising and web media. She is honored to serve on the NYWIFT Board of Directors, which supports the careers of women in the Entertainment Industry. Kathryn has crafted narratives as diverse as “Mission Juno,” which documents NASA’s probe to Jupiter, "Master Class," the award-winning10-part flagship series for the Oprah Winfrey Network OWN, and "San Quentin Film School," a six-part documentary series for Discovery Channel following nine prisoners during the first ever film production class in prison. Having started her career supporting democratic initiatives in Latin America, Kathryn has always maintained a love for international travel and politics, and she looks forward to bridging cultural differences through art and story telling. Learn more at www.busyk.com.

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