Project Updates

Here’s what we’ve worked on in July!

Sally’s Iron Mustangs

We are thrilled to update you on Sally’s Iron Mustangs. Currently, we have completed production on about 80% of the film’s music, which includes starting the recording for the cover song “Mustang Sally” for the film’s credits. Additionally, we have been diligently working to improve the festival version of the film by incorporating the new music and conducting light sound mixing. These enhancements are designed to elevate the overall experience and ensure that the film resonates deeply with our audience. A couple of months ago, we had successful screenings that were well-received, and you can watch a video recap of these events here. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to bring this inspiring story to life.

We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with The Coroner Cares, our 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, to further our mission of proactive wellness. Upcoming fundraising events include a private donor screening in mid-August and a large-scale event at Willow Valley Communities in Lancaster, PA, in September. Additionally, Director Abdullah Abu-Mahfouz and Producer Erin Price have been actively participating in social outings to spread the inspiring message of Sally’s Iron Mustangs and garner support for our cause.

New Projects on the Horizon

Our founder, Abdullah Abu-Mahfouz was born in Cleveland, Ohio as a first generation Palestinian American. Due to this deep personal connection, the crisis in Palestine profoundly resonates with him and is a crucial part of his story-telling voice. Previously, he had developed Palestinian narratives such as a short film called ‘Little Big Hero.’ Set against the harrowing 2009 Gaza conflict, the short film’ follows 11-year-old Amir as he courageously navigates a collapsing hospital to save his severely injured father amid chaos and destruction. Over the course of numerous projects, Abdullah’s passion led him to adopt a strong yet empathetic approach to these sensitive topics. After joining Yaqeen Institute to direct ‘Imam Tom Live’ following the 2024 Israel-Gaza war, we have continued to develop projects that amplify the Palestinian voice, and we are excited to share our existing work and ideas in development.

Our upcoming project aims to introduce the Palestinian dilemma of displacement and occupation to an American audience, fostering empathy for the Palestinian people. Inspired by the impactful “Most Shocking Second a Day” video by Save the Children. The film ends with a title card “Just because it isn’t happening here, doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.” The film was created to address the Syrian Refugee crisis and earned over 75 million views on YouTube. We hope to create a similarly powerful narrative that raises awareness and understanding.

Likewise, we continue to research pressing topics including addressing addiction as well as trauma-informed education for children. We welcome your ideas and suggestions as we explore these critical issues.

Collaboration Mentions

We’re excited to share our passion for our ongoing projects and collaborations, driving forward our mission to create meaningful and transformative cinematic stories.

• Educational documentaries and cartoons with Commonwealth Charter Academy
• Imam Tom Live, a live spiritual show with Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research

Spotlight: Happy Birthday, Dr. Erin Price-Hamilton!

Erin Price-Hamilton and her dog, River.

Happy Birthday to Erin Price, our incredible impact producer on Sally’s Iron Mustangs! Erin, who celebrated her birthday on August 4th, has been a perfect choice for the role, organizing amazing screenings and events, connecting the film with its audience, and graciously empowering her community. Additionally, Erin and her dog, River, volunteer as a certified therapy team, providing comfort and affection to those in need and serving as crisis responders for Susquehanna EMS, where Erin also serves on the board.

Erin’s involvement with Sally’s Iron Mustangs comes at a crucial time, as she copes with the challenges of an endometriosis diagnosis. She deeply resonates with Sally’s message of overcoming fears and believes in the power of both self-advocacy and community investment to transform lives. She hopes the film will inspire viewers to recognize their own strength and beauty. Erin dreams of helping the women she loves realize their inner sparkle and encouraging them to shine even brighter as they support themselves and others.

Upcoming Events and Releases

We are thrilled to announce a private screening of Sally’s Iron Mustangs for the Lancaster community on the weekend of August 10th. This exclusive event marks a significant milestone for the film and offers a special opportunity for local supporters to experience it firsthand.

As previously shared, we have submitted Sally’s Iron Mustangs to various film festivals and will announce the locations and times of the screenings once accepted. We are looking at events for the summer and fall of 2024 in Lancaster, PA, Harrisburg, PA, and Washington, D.C. Stay tuned for updates.

We are also continuing to build an event page on our website to provide seamless information on all our events and how you can participate.

Let’s Collaborate!

We are eager to hear from our valued patrons as we embark on our next round of films. Please share your thoughts on the emotional needs and healing required in our communities, so we can continue creating stories that resonate and transform. Email us at RNM@reelnationmedia.com with your feedback and suggestions.

Funding and Support Opportunities

For Sally’s Iron Mustangs, we aim to reach $60,000 to cover the post-production costs, including editing labor, music composing, sound mixing, and coloring. Achieving this will allow us to distribute the film on major platforms and screen it to senior communities.

How You can Contribute

Meet for Coffee: Get to know us and join us for brainstorming sessions.
Pre-purchase a Digital Copy: Purchase Here
Attend Fundraising Events: Stay tuned for upcoming event announcements.

Social Media

You can also support us by following our social media channels:
Facebook: Reel Nation Media
Instagram: Reel Nation Media
LinkedIn: Reel Nation Media

From left, Graham & Esmeralda Hetrick from The Coroner Cares, and Dr. Erin Price-Hamilton & Abdullah Abu-Mahfouz of Reel Nation Media.

Closing Note

As I reflect on a recent dinner with a Sally’s Iron Mustangs patron, I’ve come to realize that the greatest blessing is doing good alongside good people, and I felt that joy during our time getting to know each other. Finding members in my community who are aligned is truly a blessing, and it feels incredible to invest in each other, working towards something bigger than ourselves or even just a movie. I don’t want it to be just a moment; I want it to be a movement.

Reel Nation Media is committed to maintaining and developing relationships with our patrons and audience. Thank you for being a part of our journey.

Keep it Reel! 

Abdullah Abu-Mahfouz & The Reel Nation Media Team