Supporting a Hazara Filmmaker: Advocacy for Artistic Freedom

Dear friends, family, and fellow artists from around the world,

I am Mohammad Rasooli, a long-time friend and artistic collaborator of Shahrokh, currently living in Melbourne. I want to bring to your attention a righteous battle for justice. Shahrokh Bikaraan, an accomplished writer, director, producer, composer, and sound designer, has dedicated over five years to crafting the documentary film "KAMAY." He has also contributed as a composer and sound engineer to nearly ten other films and collaborated with numerous artists in the music industry.

However, Shahrokh now finds himself in a position where he must fight for his rights and those of his film. This battle represents not only Shahrokh's struggle but also that of all artists whose voices go unheard. Shahrokh risked his life traveling to the central villages of Afghanistan to create "KAMAY," only to be unjustly removed from his own film. Originating from the very regions depicted in the film (Daykundi), his aim was to highlight the systematic discrimination and genocidal acts against the Hazara people. Over five years, he has taken on every role from writing to sound design, recording, directing, and editing, only to be unfairly ousted during the final stages of editing and stripped of all his material and intellectual rights.

In response to decisions and actions taken without Shahrokh's involvement or even knowledge, I have launched this GoFundMe campaign to raise financial support for his legal battle. This campaign aims to gather funds to help Shahrokh hire a specialised lawyer and pursue justice on this righteous path. We have come together today to show our support for an artist, a friend, and a warrior for justice. This fight is not just Shahrokh's; it is a symbol of resistance against injustice and a struggle to protect the rights of artists worldwide.

Shahrokh, the main director and only writer of "KAMAY," faces immense challenges that threaten not only his professional future but also the ethical and legal principles we believe in. Therefore, financial support is needed to hire a specialised lawyer and pursue justice.

We invite you to contribute to this campaign, whether small or large. Every donation is a sign of support, love, and belief in the power of justice and ethics. This opportunity allows us to demonstrate that art and justice go hand in hand, and no force can silence the truth.

Please help us enable Shahrokh to stand firm in this legal battle and bring about justice. This chance not only shows unity, support, and belief in justice and the importance of art in our lives but also that art and justice are intertwined.

This money will be sent straight away to Shahrokh’s personal account who is currently living in Amsterdam to hire a specialised lawyer to start the advocacy procedure.

Thank you very much for any form of support,

Mohammad, artist and friend of Shahrokh

#stolenKAMAY

#stolenKAMAYfilm

#arttheft #artisticintegrity #intellectualproperty