Fowler Films: The Journey Within

Join us for a special screening of The Journey Within, followed by a conversation with writer, director, and producer Mian Adnan Ahmad and associate producer JC Diaz, moderated by Nile Green, Professor of History and Near Eastern Languages & Cultures at UCLA. Set in post-9/11 Pakistan, this acclaimed documentary traces the inspiring evolution of Coke Studio, one of the region’s most influential music initiatives. Beginning with humble origins, the film follows artists as they bring together folk, Sufi, rock, pop, and rap, bridging eastern and western traditions to create music that resonates across borders. In doing so, they reclaim and celebrate Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage while challenging stereotypes and asking deeper questions about identity, belonging, and the unifying power of sound.The Journey Within has garnered international recognition, earning multiple awards and screening at leading film festivals and distinguished events across Asia, Europe, UK and the US, including having the unique honor of screening at the Parliament of the World Religions, where past speakers have included the likes of Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, the Dalai Lama, Queen Rania amongst others. Light refreshments will be served following the screening and conversation.Mian Adnan Ahmad is an award-winning filmmaker, Berlinale Talents alum, and Fulbright Scholar. He has had his works featured in academic programs across South Asia and the United States, including the South Asian Cinema program at UC Davis. His films explore the human condition, inspiring us to reflect and connect, and have won more than 25 awards worldwide, including receiving the Jesse Epstein Humanitarian Award and winning Best Science Fiction / Fantasy FIm at Comic-Con.JC Diaz is a filmmaker with years of experience navigating the highs and lows of the film industry, brings a rare blend of professional expertise and heartfelt authenticity to every project. Known for his instinctive grasp of storytelling and his ability to translate it powerfully to the screen, Diaz inspires those around him to dig deeper and create with intention.Nile Green is Professor of History and Near Eastern Languages & Cultures at UCLA and holds the Ibn Khaldun Endowed Chair in World History. An award-winning scholar and Guggenheim Fellow, he is the author of numerous influential books on global and Islamic history, including How Asia Found Herself and Empire’s Son, Empire’s Orphan. He also hosts the podcast Akbar’s Chamber, which brings scholarly conversations on Islam to a broader public audience.This program is co-sponsored by the Department of European and Transcultural Studies at UCLA (ELTS), the Fulbright Alumni Association, the Fulbright India Interest Group, and the Pakistan Arts Council of USC Pacific Asia Museum More Info below.