ABOUT THE PROJECT

LOGLINE
While people struggle to survive under sanctions in Saddam’s Iraq, nine-year-old Saeed must use his wits to bring the mandatory cake to celebrate President Saddam's birthday or face the consequences—prison or death.

SYNOPSIS
It’s April 26, 1991, which means that schools across Iraq will select students for the honor of bringing items to their mandatory local celebration of President Saddam’s birthday. Kind-hearted and resourceful Saeed lives with his grandmother Bibi in the historic Iraqi marshes.

Bibi teaches Saeed all kinds of tricks to avoid getting picked as he’s about to leave for school. Musa, the authoritative teacher, starts the draw for the birthday items: cleaning, refreshments, and decorations. Lamia, Saeed’s neighbor and crush, is tasked to bring fruits, which are scarce and expensive.

And then Musa calls Saeed’s name for the most difficult item—the birthday cake. Saeed has no choice but to accept the burden. He knows that failing to deliver risks prison or death. Back home, Saeed finds comfort in his confidant and rooster, Hindi. He debates lying to Bibi but soon admits the truth to his grandmother. Without options, Bibi and Saeed prepare an ingredient list and plan to trek to the bazaar.

The next morning, Saeed and Bibi pack their valuables—a radio, a clock, clothing, and Hindi. On their way, they befriend Jasim, a government mailman who offers them a ride. Shortly after they arrive at the bazaar, Saeed discovers that Bibi is planning to sell Hindi. Determined to save his pet, Saeed runs away with Hindi, abandoning Bibi.

Together, Saeed and Hindi embark on an adventure to get the ingredients. They soon encounter Saeed's classmate Lamia, who is in town with her disabled father to search for the fruits she was assigned at the draw.

The two schoolmates and Hindi escape for their lives when the police raid the premises and arrest Lamia’s father and other street sellers. Saeed, Lamia, and Hindi suddenly find themselves on a quest full of turbulence that will test and change them forever.

PROJECT TYPE Narrative Feature

DIRECTOR Hasan Hadi
SCREENWRITER Hasan Hadi
PRODUCER Leah Chen Baker
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Eric Roth, Marielle Heller

The Film Collaborative (TFC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing programs and services for independent filmmakers. TFC’s federal tax ID number is 32-0295081. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Support a TFC Fiscal Sponsorship Project

Please help support this project with a tax deductible contribution. The “donate” button below will take you to PayPal, but a PayPal account is not required to make a donation. You can check out 2 ways:

1. Use your PayPal account
2. Check out as a guest by selecting “Donate with a Debit or Credit Card” (no PayPal account is required)

Transaction Fee

Please consider covering the PayPal transaction fee by selecting the “I’d like to add to my donation to help offset the cost of processing” box on the next page. This will ensure your intended full donation amount will be received for the project.

Alternate Donation Payment Methods

If you prefer to donate by check, Zelle, ACH, or wire transfer, please email us for instructions.

Stock Donations

TFC accepts stock donations. By donating stock that has appreciated for more than a year, you are giving 20% more than if you sold the stock and then made a cash donation, since you will not pay capital gains taxes on the donated stock. Learn more here.

Please email us for instructions to donate stock to a fiscally sponsored project.

Donor Advised Fund (DAF) Donations

A donor-advised fund, or DAF, is like a charitable investment account for the sole purpose of supporting charitable organizations. TFC accepts DAF donations and is on file with most major DAF companies. Provide your DAF TFC’s Tax ID: 32-0295081. If we are already on file with your DAF company, they will process the donation.

Tax Receipts

In compliance with IRS rules, tax receipts for your charitable gift are issued for the amount The Film Collaborative receives after payment processor fees are deducted. The Film Collaborative emails tax receipts in PDF format within 30 days of your online donation. The “receipt” that is immediately sent to you from PayPal after you donate is just a payment receipt, not the tax receipt.

Matching Donations

Many companies have matching gift programs and can help you double your donation to a project of your choosing. Sometimes these programs will match a donation up to a year after it was originally made! Check with your employer—if they have a matching gift program, they will provide you with instructions.

End of Year Giving

November, December, and January are big giving months each year. Donors top up their annual giving in November and December. January is a new fiscal year, and some donors start their giving for the next fiscal year early. Some donors even give at the end of the year and again in January since these donations fall into different fiscal years.

Donors tend to make their large year-end donation decisions before the holidays start. In 2024, that means before December 20. TFC can accept donations by wire, ACH, and Zelle until 5:00pm Eastern Time on December 31. Online donations by credit or debit card can be made until 11:59pm Pacific Time on December 31.