NEWS RELEASE
June 2009
Dr. Alina Mirza, the Artistic Director of Glasgow-based arts and film production company, Heer Productions, has been awarded the British Muslims House of Lords Honour Awards 2009 for Arts and Culture! The award will be presented to Dr. Alina Mirza at the House of Lords, annual honours dinner reception on 2nd July 2009.
Dr. Mirza co-founded Heer Productions in 2004 and under its banner has pioneered many innovative projects including the internationally acclaimed First European Pakistani Film, Media and Arts Festival - Pehlee Dharkan [first heartbeat] and Creative Interactions project. She has striven to redress the balance of opportunities within certain communities in relation to the arts/film sector and to provide viable cultural and artistic space to Black and Minority Ethnic communities through innovative projects in a mainstream context.
Big Issue described the festival as ‘a venture with a political backbone and socially engaged remit - a People’s festival’
This award recognises and commends the ground-breaking work, unique bicultural perspective, effective professional approach and compassionate creative engagement undertaken by Dr. Alina Mirza in relation to cultivating the potential of BME communities based on a positive cultural and religious heritage.
As well undertaking community work, Dr. Alina Mirza has pioneered links between artistic institutions, and practising artists, in the UK and in Pakistan, leading to collaborative work across a number of disciplines – film, visual arts, theatre, literature and folk heritage.
The work undertaken by Dr. Alina Mirza is of especial pertinence at this time of political turbulence and the globalisation and communalisation of particular conflicts.
Note to Editors:
The purpose of the British Muslims House of Lords Honour Awards is:
• To acknowledge, celebrate and reward the individual efforts of the very special people who will receive the awards.
• To provide inspirational role models for all British Muslims in every walk of life in the United Kingdom.
• To raise awareness outside the British community of the outstanding achievement of other Muslims in this country.
• To encourage talented members of the community to make greater contribution to our society.
For further information, pictures or interviews, please contact Mob: 07859 897 840, 07917 674 902 E-mail: info@heerproductions.com, info@steppingstonefilmsltd.com
