This Year’s Honorees

Just Mercy
Bryan Stevenson, Civil Rights Attorney, Founder and Executive Director, Equal Justice Initiative (EJI)

Just Mercy has served as a conduit toward building an inclusive movement for equality and justice. The first major studio film to adopt an inclusion rider, the entire project is a reflection of the diverse world we live in. The inclusion of our own voices and skills in telling our stories is critical to authenticity, creating awareness, and increasing understanding.

The Mauritanian
Kevin Macdonald, Director
Leah Clarke, Producer

Based on the NY Times best-selling memoir “Guantánamo Diary” by Mohamedou Ould Slahi, The Mauritanian is the inspiring true story of Slahi’s fight for freedom from wrongful imprisonment at the Guantánamo Bay Detention Camp. Despite being tortured and accused of crimes he did not commit, Mohamedou emerged with a heart full of forgiveness and faith. The Mauritanian is a powerful, inspiring film that strives toward understanding and justice in a world short of both, and carries a message that is timely for all of us.

Lorraine Ali, LA Times

As the TV and culture critic of the LA Times, Lorraine Ali consistently provides thoughtful, insightful analysis of not just what’s on screen, but of the challenging cultural pivots we are making as a society. Lorraine’s background as an Iraqi-American Muslim gives her a unique perspective and she has become one of the top journalists in her field.

DC Legends of Tomorrow
Phil Klemmer, Showrunner, Writer (developed by)
Grainne Godfree, Executive Producer, Writer
Keto Shimizu, Executive Producer, Writer
Tala Ashe, Actor, Zari Tomaz
Shayan Sobhian, Actor, Behrad Tarazi
Ubah Mohamed, Writer

Muslim audiences, and young Muslim viewers in particular, need to see themselves reflected on screen. DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’s Zari, an authentic, nuanced, female Muslim recurring character in the series, makes a world of difference in developing their self-worth.

Transplant
Joseph Kay, Creator, Showrunner,
Executive Producer, Writer
Lauren MacKinlay, Supervising Producer
Sami Khan, Writer (Story Editor)
Tara Woodbury, Executive Producer
Virginia Rankin, Executive Producer
Rachel Langer, Co-Executive Producer, Writer
Dr. Khaled Almilaji, Cultural Consultant
Hamza Haq, Actor, Bashir "Bash" Hamed
Laurence Leboeuf, Actor, Magalie Leblanc
Ayisha Issa, Actor, Dr. June Curtis
Jim Watson, Actor, Dr. Theo Hunter
John Hannah, Actor, Dr. Jed Bishop

Transplant breaks new ground in so many ways. The series features a Syrian Muslim doctor as the lead character, realistic and nuanced portrayals of the challenges faced by refugees, and the real trauma of those struggling to survive in war zones. At a time when healthcare workers are overburdened, exhausted, and having to perform in heroic ways, Transplant provides viewers with an inspiring team of doctors who are also invariably human.

Glitch Techs
Dan Milano, Executive Producer, Writer (creator)
Eric Robles, Executive Producer, Writer (creator)
Zehra Fazal, Actor, Zahra
David Anaxagoras, Writer

Glitch Techs is one of the most diverse series ever produced by Nickelodeon Animation. The series features a strong female Muslim recurring character, Zahra, who provides inspiration to young Muslim audiences who finally see themselves reflected in an animated character. With so many young children at home throughout the pandemic, Glitch Techs is a fun, action-packed, inclusive, family-friendly show for the entire family.

The Honest Struggle
Justin Mashouf

The Honest Struggle is the story of an ex gang leader turned devout Muslim and his journey re-entering society after being incarcerated 3 times. The film follows Sadiq, an energetic 55 year old man who has spent over two decades of his life behind bars.

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Honoring Voices of

Courage and Conscience

MPAC’s annual Media Awards celebrates members of the entertainment industry, artists, and activists who promote inclusion and social justice through their craft.

Our honorees have done so by advancing authentic portrayals of Islam and Muslims, increasing understanding by reflecting the realities we live in, and by inspiring action and movements for social change. Now in its 29th year, the Media Awards continues to honor innovative voices of courage and conscience who act boldly and intentionally in this critical time in history.

We have honored Oscar and Emmy winners, Nobel Laureates, Peabody Award finalists, blockbuster and indie films, courageous journalists, groundbreaking art exhibitions, and trailblazing writers, producers, and directors.  

Actors, Activists
and Musicians

Actors may transform public opinion through the characters they play, but the truly courageous ones take on roles much bigger than those they portray onscreen. We have honored actor/activists who raise their voices in the public domain on behalf of American-Muslims, Latinos, the wrongfully incarcerated, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Film

From Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves to Slumdog Millionaire, Bowling for Columbine to Selma, films have the power to change the way we see the world, and how we see each other.

We have honored screenwriters, producers, and directors who use the craft of filmmaking to reflect the raw authenticity of the world back to us in ways we haven’t seen.

Television

The Daily Show, Grey’s Anatomy, The Good Wife, and CNN’s Parts Unknown are just some of the television shows that feature inclusive characters and storylines. 

We have honored over a dozen television series and specials that broaden our perspectives and expand our understanding of one another.

Artists & Writers

Storytelling begins with a blank page, a plain canvas or an empty stage, and the minds who fill that emptiness with original stories, screenplays, books, and images have the power to influence and broaden the minds of millions. We have honored artists and writers including Shepard Fairey, Marvel Comics, Karen Armstrong, and Dave Eggers whose work has changed the narrative entirely.