Award-winning filmmaker Laith al-Majali '05 will return to campus May 22 to deliver ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ's 2010 Commencement address Under the Oaks in front of West Residence Hall.
Majali, a native of Amman, Jordan, served as editor and producer of the groundbreaking film “Captain Abu Raed,” the first feature film to emerge from Jordan in a half-century. In 2008, the film won the World Cinema Audience Award at the annual Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Later that year, Majali was named ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s Young Alumnus of the Year. Since its release, “Captain Abu Raed” has won 25 other international festival awards.
An accomplished photographer, Majali has followed his craft around the world and his work has appeared in numerous print and online publications. He recently founded Immortal Entertainment, a production company, and is developing a number of film projects.
Majali arrived at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ in fall 2001 as the university’s first King Hussein of Jordan Scholar. In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, he emerged as a campus leader, sharing his Arabic culture with his classmates and encouraging a spirit of cultural understanding. He became involved in the Intercultural Relations Club, the Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellows, the ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Ambassadors program and was particularly active in ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Television.
Commencement Week 2010 will include a screening of “Captain Abu Raed” on Thursday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m. in McCrary Theatre, Cener for the Arts. Majali will speak at Commencement Under the Oaks at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 22.