The Weitzman welcomes you to the Philadelphia premiere of the Academy Award-nominated documentary film Stranger at the Gate (USA, 2022, 29 min).

Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai is the Executive Producer of this Academy Award nominated film.

Nominated for Best Documentary Short Film, it seamlessly weaves together the stories of Richard "Mac" McKinney, a U.S. Marine who returns home to Indiana from his tours in the Middle East with an overwhelming hatred of Muslims, and Bibi Bahrami, an Afghan refugee whose escape from war-torn Afghanistan shapes her understanding of racial discrimination. This nearly-tragic tale is equal parts surprising — especially the unbelievable ending — and moving.

The film’s Jewish director, Joshua Seftel, whose experience with antisemitism as a child, has earned Emmy and Peabody nominations for his Secret Life of Muslims project, which combats Islamophobia with filmmaking.

Following the screening, WHYY’s legendary radio host Marty Moss-Coane will lead a discussion between the film’s subjects and director. They’ll explore extremist ideologies, as seen in the rise of antisemitism today, racism, xenophobia, and the power of kindness.

Visit TheWeitzman.org for more information.