Covered Girls

Covered Girls

Covered Girls

The Story

COVERED GIRLS is a surprisingly frank, bittersweet look at Muslim-American teenage girls in post-September 11th New York.  From a girls' basketball game to a Harlem recording studio, one door after another opens to reveal a colorful and startling group of young women who challenge the stereotypes many Americans may have of them.

The film, which predates Kapok Pictures, was produced and directed by the team of Amy Wendel and Janet McIntyre, and was shot by Lisa Rinzler (POLLACK, BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB, THREE SEASONS, and MENACE II SOCIETY).

Called an "Excellent Outreach Tool" by the Middle East Studies Association, COVERED GIRLS has become a popular educational device in high schools, colleges, and public libraries throughout the United States.

"By depicting the girls in their full-length dresses and hijabs behaving just like teens in western clothing, the film gently reminds us to observe the adage about not judging a book by its cover. The voices we hear are casual, straightforward and heartfelt.  The background rap music fits well into the black and white urban scene. This short film is an excellent choice for a discussion about bigotry amongst teenagers. Recommended."

-Homa Naficy, Hartford Public Library, Hartford, CT.

COVERED GIRLS aired nationally on the Showtime Networks in 2002 and 2003 and screened at the following film festivals.

Official Selection of the Following Film Festivals

  • Telluride Film Festival, 2003
  • Nashville Film Festival, Best Documentary Short 2003
  • Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, 2003
  • Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, 2003
  • Seattle One Reel Film Festival, 2003
  • Walker Art Centers Women With Vision Festival, 2003
  • Get Real Doc Film Festival, 2003
  • Politically Incorrect Film Festival (Slovenia), 2003
  • MASS MoCA Film Series, 2004
  • Global Peace Film Festival, 2004
  • SF Absolute Time Film Festival, 2005, Jury Award
  • Future Femme Film Festival, 2005

BritShorts distributes COVERED GIRLS for broadcast worldwide, Filmakers Library handles non-theatrical/educational distribution in North America, and Daniel Meisel serves as the Producer's Representative for the film.