The world is a very big place. This means that there are going to be a lot of places with different customs and traditions. With some countries fairing better than others, families sometimes make the tough decision to leave their country and start a new better life somewhere else. Moving to a new place means that you aren’t bringing only your belongings but your customs as well. While it may be easier for adults to adjust, kids may not fare so well. This is because they have to deal with other kids who probably won’t be as understanding. 

This is part of what Ameena, a Muslim Pakistani immigrant is dealing with in the short film, American Eid. Still homesick, she struggles with explaining to her peers and teachers what Eid is. What makes her situation worse is that her sister wants to just fit in and refuses to embrace her culture. 

This film comes from Aqsa Altaf. She is one of the filmmakers that was chosen by Disney for their Launchpad series of short films that you can find exclusively on Disney+. She was able to work with an experienced Disney filmmaker and make her short film, American Eid, a reality.

Here is the synopsis for American Eid:

Ameena, a Muslim Pakistani immigrant, wakes up on Eid to find out that she has to go to school. Homesick and heartbroken, she goes on a mission to make Eid a public-school holiday, and in the process, reconnects with her older sister, and embraces her new home, while her new home embraces her.

With the release of Altaf’s film on Disney’s Launchpad, LRM Online’s Emmanuel Gomez talked with Altaf about her film, American Eid. During our conversation, we talked about her experience in working with Disney to bring her film to life. As well as the importance of culture, acceptance, and speaking up. You can check out the full interview down below!

ALSO SEE: AN INTRODUCTION TO DISNEY+’S LAUNCHPAD

Be sure to check out American Eid and the five other films on Disney+. All six films feature the theme of discovery.