THE LEFTOVER LADIES
IN DEVELOPMENT
SYNOPSIS: A 60-something woman tries to leave her polygamous husband after he expresses a renewed commitment to their stale relationship. An off-beat comedy set in present day Cairo.
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY: Farida Zahran (Tisch Grad Film ’20)
Farida Zahran is an Egyptian writer/director based in Brooklyn, working across film and TV. Most recently, she wrote on the acclaimed TV series Ramy (A24 & Hulu). Her short film, Youth, premiered at SXSW in 2019 and screened at festivals worldwide. It received an Oscar-qualifying award at Palm Springs ShortFest, and is a Vimeo Staff Pick. Farida was also selected for the 2019 NYFF Artist Academy and served on the jury for the 2020 edition of the Palm Springs ShortFest. She is a graduate of NYU Tisch’s Graduate Film Program. Farida is currently in development on her debut feature as well as a half hour series.
PRODUCED BY: Leah Chen Baker (Tisch Grad Film ’22)
Leah Chen Baker is a producer and filmmaker. Leah is the 2020 recipient of the Media Services Producing Award and a member of the Producers Guild of America. As a producer, she’s been supported by The Gotham, Panavision, Breaking Through The Lens, Cairo Film Connection and the EFM Fiction Toolbox. Her producing credits include two independent features and shorts that have won Academy-qualifying awards and have been distributed on platforms such as HBO Max and Focus Features. Most recently, she produced Jamie Dack’s debut feature, PALM TREES AND POWER LINES, which premiered at Sundance 2022 and won the U.S. Directing Award. Currently, she is developing her first international feature.
Winner, NYU Purple List
Winner, Cairo Film Connection 2022