CASTING CALL — ALTERNATOR (PAID)

Arab American Casting is casting two lead roles and two supporting roles for a paid short film shooting in Northern New Jersey.

UNION: SAG-AFTRA Short Project Agreement

ELIGIBILITY: SAG-AFTRA and non-union actors may submit

PAY: $200 per shoot day. SAG-AFTRA compensation above the guaranteed pay is deferred under the Short Project Agreement.

SHOOT WINDOW: August 20–30, 2026 — exact dates TBD

LOCATION: Paterson, Livingston, and Hackettstown, New Jersey

LOCAL HIRE: New York/New Jersey area

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: July 20, 2026

LANGUAGE: Arabic required for all roles

TRAVEL: Local hire preferred. For exceptional talent traveling from nearby Northeast states, production may cover reasonable gas, tolls, or bus/train transportation.

STORY

Ahmed, a struggling New Jersey used-car dealer, secretly uses his business partner’s money to purchase and flip a car. He hopes the profit will prove that he can financially support his young son during an upcoming custody case. When the car breaks down, and his partner becomes suspicious, Ahmed’s entire plan begins to unravel.

⸻

1. AHMED — LEAD

Arab/Middle Eastern male, 30–40

Must speak Arabic fluently or at a native level

Approximately 50–60 hours on set

Ahmed is a charming and persuasive used-car dealer desperate to become financially successful. He knows how to manipulate people and talk his way out of trouble, but when his schemes fail, his confidence quickly turns into anger and aggression. His love for his six-year-old son is genuine.

Seeking a strong, dramatic actor who can balance charm, humor, desperation, manipulation, anger, and emotional vulnerability. This role includes a staged physical confrontation.

⸻

2. AYMAN — LEAD

Arab/Middle Eastern boy, 5–9

Must speak Arabic

Approximately 20–24 hours on set

Ayman is Ahmed’s six-year-old son. Since his parents’ divorce, he has not spent as much time with his father as he would like. He is quiet, observant, and hopeful that his father will finally make more time for him.

Seeking a natural young actor who can express love, hope, loneliness, and disappointment honestly. A parent or legal guardian must submit on the child’s behalf and be available throughout casting and production.

⸻

3. MOHAMMED — SUPPORTING

Arab/Middle Eastern male, 40s

Must speak Arabic fluently or at a native level

Approximately 50–60 hours on set

Mohammed is an Arab immigrant who arrived in the United States approximately two years ago. His English is limited, but he understands cars and mechanical problems very well.

He becomes Ahmed’s loyal associate and helps with his schemes, but he is not a calculating con man. He brings warmth, innocence, and natural humor to the story.

⸻

4. MAHMOOD — SUPPORTING

Arab/Middle Eastern male, 50s

Must speak Arabic fluently or at a native level

Approximately 15–20 hours on set

Mahmood owns a small car wash and is Ahmed’s longtime friend. He means well but has little emotional awareness, especially when caring for Ahmed’s young son.

Seeking an actor with grounded, natural comedic timing who can play Mahmood truthfully without turning him into a caricature.

⸻

HOW TO SUBMIT

Email info@ArabActors.com with:

• Full name

• Phone number

• Email address

• Current city and state

• Role

• SAG-AFTRA or non-union status

• Arabic dialect and level of fluency

• Current headshot

• Acting résumé

• Acting reel, if available

• Availability between August 20–30, 2026

For Ayman, include the parent or legal guardian’s full name, phone number, and email address.

EMAIL SUBJECT:

ALTERNATOR — ROLE — ACTOR’S NAME

Selected actors will receive self-tape instructions directly from Hamzah Saman, CSA.

Actors never pay to submit, audition, or book the job through Arab American Casting. No gifts. Please share our posts.