Nice Bombs Premieres on Sundance Channel

From my email archive:

(Feb 13 2004) U Alshaibi wrote:

Sama, tell everyone we are fine. yes one of the
bombings killed about 30 people and injured almost
80...it was 4 miles from us. I'll write about it in
my blogger-
 
thanks for checking up, we are in Amman and will
hopefully be back in the usa by monday- 
love usama
 
 
Sama wrote:
Hi U,
 
Making sure you are fine. There has been a lot of
major bombings on the news
in the last 72 hours. I know they were at targets
you probably weren't at...
 
We look forward talking with you. Much love to Kristie!
 
Sama

I know I have not posted in a long time. NICE BOMBS has been doing well. We got picked up by 7th Art Releasing thanks to our awesome producers Benzfilm Group. I want to to update you on some of the news and events in the past year.

-We had our world premier at the Chicago Underground Film Festival in 2006 presented by the Playboy Foundation. Studs Terkel and Christie Hefner introduced the film. Here are some pics from that night.


My Mom. Studs Terkel, Kristie, Ben my producer and me.

Studs Terkel and Usama.

In the summer of 2007 we theatrical release and played at the Pioneer Theater in NYC, The Gene Siskel Center in Chicago, The Santa Fe Film Center and there are more to come!



Some of the media shows I have been on talking about NICE BOMBS:

LIVE WGN MORNING NEWS INTERVIEW

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Interview on Public Television

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NICE BOMBS BENEFIT PARTY JULY 9TH

Join Artvamp and Benzfilm Group for a benefit party for NICE BOMBS, Iraqi-American filmmaker Usama Alshaibi's documentary on the lives, voices, and humor of his family in Baghdad. We will feature a sneak preview clip from the movie, delicious FREE food, a silent auction, and a wide variety of entertaining acts from bellydance to beatbox to cabaret.

WHEN: Sunday, July 9, 2006. Doors open at 7:30 pm and entertainment begins at 8:00 pm.

WHERE: darkroom, 2210 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL located at Chicago Avenue and Leavitt (between Western and Damen) MAP

WHY: NICE BOMBS will be premiering at the Chicago Underground Film Festival this summer, and the filmmakers are raising funds for finishing costs.

HOW MUCH: $20 at the door or $18 advance tickets online.

Cash bar, cheap drink specials, 21 and over.

WHO (PERFORMANCES):

Naeif Rafeh on the Nay (Middle Eastern flute).
Bellydancer Sonya from Arabesque.
Beatbox and Bass from Yuri Lane and Lauren Cohen.
Featuring Michelle L'amour from Lavender Cabaret.
Usama Alshaibi will present sneak preview excerpts from NICE BOMBS.

DJ Strepsata will spin at the end of the night.

BID ON DONATIONS FROM: Odd Obsession Movies, Facets, Aloft Loft, IFP, Usama Alshaibi, and more...

CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION

NICE BOMBS IS FINALLY FINISHED!


I know it has been over two years but with the help of the Benz, Kristie and the whole gang we are finally complete. Stay tuned for upcoming screenings. Please email me: ' usama (at) dancehabibi (dot) com ' to be placed on my email list (I recently lost all my email contact, so please send me your email even if you think I may have it).

New website, poster and trailer coming soon.

Thank you all for your support!

-Usama

Baghdad 2004


 So much has happened and so little has changed. The movie on Iraq, NICE BOMBS, has received a generous grant from the Creative Capital Arts Foundation and wins Tribeca All Access Creative Promise Award for Documentary Feature - Sponsored by The Playboy Foundation. The award was presented by Rosie Perez and Chris Napolitano, Editorial Director of Playboy Magazine. The Benzfilm and my producer/wife was with me.

Iraq is too dangerous to return to at the moment. I spoke to a great soldier who was there for 18 months.

I am emotional about Iraq and I miss my cousin T. Until later...