CASTING CALL – “SHALOM SALAM” (SHORT FILM) PAID LA

# Shalom Salam: A Narrative Short Film Project

## Project Type / Union

Narrative short film – proof-of-concept for possible TV series or feature

SAG-AFTRA Short Project Agreement – union and non-union actors welcome

## Directors / Producers

Daniel Lir & Bayou Bennett – Dream Team Directors

Award-winning filmmaking team whose work includes projects with Michelle Pfeiffer, Coldplay, Lindsey Stirling, Norman Reedus, and more. Their films blend cinematic storytelling with social impact and have been played at worldwide festivals and major platforms.

## Casting Director

Casting by Hamzah Saman, CSA

## Project Summary

A young Palestinian and a young Israeli launch a small hummus stand in Los Angeles. What begins as a student business idea grows into a tech-powered peace project, sending prayers and messages of hope from a North Hollywood food truck to Jerusalem and Gaza.

Tone: grounded, emotional, hopeful.

Performances: natural, human – no stereotypes, no caricatures.

Focus: people, food, faith, and connection, not propaganda.

## Shoot Information

Main Unit (Los Angeles)

• Location: Greater Los Angeles (North Hollywood and surrounding areas)

• Window: March 2026 (exact dates TBD)

• Most roles: 1–3 shoot days

• Local Hire: Los Angeles local hire only

  
  

Jerusalem / Gaza Unit (Israel / Palestine)

• Select roles only

• Local Hire: actors already based in Israel/Palestine (no travel promised)

  
  
  
  

## Rates (All Roles)

Principals / Speaking Roles (Union or Non-Union)

• Day Rate: $250/day minimum (higher negotiable depending on role/experience)

• Includes: on-set meals, IMDb credit, reasonable reel footage access (after release, subject to producer approval)

• Future: If Shalom Salam becomes a series, feature, sequel, or spin-off, the actor will receive the first offer / first right of refusal to reprise their role under new terms and rates.

  
  

Background / Extras

• Day Rate: $150/day (LA local hire)

• Includes: on-set meals, IMDb credit where applicable

• Future: no guaranteed future work, but background may be considered for future projects at filmmakers’ and casting directors’ discretion.

  
  
  
  

## Characters

(All roles: $250/day minimum, higher negotiable.

All principal roles: first offer / first right of refusal for any future series/feature based on this project.)

Character 1 – ANWAR (Lead – Los Angeles)

• Location: Los Angeles local hire

• Gender: Male

• Age: Early–mid 20s (18+ to play 21–26)

• Ethnicity: Palestinian (Palestinian / Arab heritage strongly preferred)

• Language: English; Arabic (Palestinian dialect) is a strong plus

• Estimated Work: 2–3 days

• Rate: $250/day minimum, higher negotiable

• Future: First offer / first right of refusal if role returns in series/feature.

  
  

Smart, creative, and emotionally open, Anwar comes from a big, close Palestinian family. He is optimistic and entrepreneurial, believing that food, tech, and faith can do more than politics. Anwar needs a strong emotional range: warmth, humor, and grief.

Character 2 – OR (Lead – Los Angeles)

• Location: Los Angeles local hire

• Gender: Male

• Age: Early–mid 20s (18+ to play 21–26)

• Ethnicity: Israeli (Israeli / Jewish heritage strongly preferred)

• Language: English; Hebrew is a strong plus

• Estimated Work: 2–3 days

• Rate: $250/day minimum, higher negotiable

• Future: First offer / first right of refusal if role returns in series/feature.

  
  

Or is a young tech founder with a quick mind and quick emotions. He can be volatile and impulsive at times, but he is fundamentally sweet and sensitive. Coming from a loving Israeli family, he needs to handle fast dialogue, sudden emotional turns, and moments of fear.

Character 3 – ANWAR’S MOTHER (Supporting – Los Angeles)

• Location: Los Angeles local hire

• Gender: Female

• Age: Mid–late 50s

• Ethnicity: Palestinian / Arab

• Language: English; Arabic (Palestinian dialect) strongly preferred

• Estimated Work: 1–2 days

• Rate: $250/day

• Future: First offer / first right of refusal if role returns in series/feature.

  
  

Anwar’s mother is warm, empathetic, and quietly strong. She has lived through conflict and carries that history in her eyes. Protective yet proud of her son, she serves as the emotional anchor for Anwar’s side of the story.

Character 4 – OR’S MOTHER (Supporting – Los Angeles)

• Location: Los Angeles local hire

• Gender: Female

• Age: Mid–late 50s

• Ethnicity: Israeli / Jewish

• Language: English; Hebrew strongly preferred

• Estimated Work: 1–2 days

• Rate: $250/day

• Future: First offer / first right of refusal if role returns in series/feature.

  
  

Or’s mother is loving, sharp, and honest. She is deeply worried about her son’s safety and future, but she believes in him. Her character represents the emotional cost of conflict on Israeli families, providing a strong presence in a few key scenes.

Character 5 – PALESTINIAN AUNT (Supporting – Los Angeles)

• Location: Los Angeles local hire

• Gender: Female

• Age: Late 60s

• Ethnicity: Palestinian / Arab

• Language: English and Arabic; additional languages a plus

• Estimated Work: 1–2 days

• Rate: $250/day

• Future: First offer / first right of refusal if role returns in series/feature.

  
  

The Palestinian aunt is wise, warm, and an excellent cook. She is a history teacher with humor and depth. As the elder, she tells the truth lovingly and brings cultural depth and grounded humanity to the story.

Character 6 – MARIT, JERUSALEM STUDENT (Supporting – Israel Unit)

• Location: Local hire in Israel (Jerusalem/region)

• Gender: Female

• Age: Mid 20s

• Ethnicity: Israeli / Jewish (or mixed background that reads as Israeli)

• Language: English; Hebrew strongly preferred

• Estimated Work: 1–2 days

• Rate: $250/day (local hire in region)

• Future: First offer / first right of refusal if role returns in series/feature.

  
  

Marit is a policy/social sciences student in Jerusalem. Grounded and idealistic, she is not flashy. She prints prayers from LA and quietly places them in the Western Wall. Her performance needs to be subtle, honest, and natural.

Character 7 – HASAN, GAZA YOUTH (Supporting – Region Unit)

• Location: Local hire in Israel/Palestine region (Gaza / Al-Aqsa context)

• Gender: Male

• Age: Early–mid 20s

• Ethnicity: Palestinian (strong connection to Gaza/Palestine preferred)

• Language: Arabic (Palestinian dialect); English a plus

• Estimated Work: 1–2 days

• Rate: $250/day (local hire in region)

• Future: First offer / first right of refusal if role returns in series/feature.

  
  

Hasan is working-class, grounded, and quietly brave. He carries 3D-printed white doves and delivers prayers to Al-Aqsa. Life has aged him beyond his years, but he still believes small acts of peace matter. His character must feel real and respectful.

Character 8 – NEWS JOURNALIST / TV REPORTER (Supporting – Los Angeles)

• Location: Los Angeles local hire

• Gender: Female or Non-binary

• Age: Mid 20s–early 30s

• Ethnicity: Any (diverse candidates encouraged)

• Language: English (broadcast level); Arabic/Hebrew a plus

• Estimated Work: 1–2 days

• Rate: $250/day

• Future: First offer / first right of refusal if role returns in series/feature.

  
  

The news journalist is sharp, confident, and strong on camera. She discovers the hummus stand and helps the story go viral. Her character must feel like a real journalist, not a parody, and she should be comfortable with on-camera monologues and some light improv.

Character 9 – MARKETING / SOCIAL MEDIA EXPERT (Supporting – Los Angeles)

• Location: Los Angeles local hire

• Gender: Female

• Age: Early–mid 20s

• Ethnicity: Multiracial / ethnically ambiguous (MENASA, mixed, Latinx, etc. welcome)

• Language: English; additional languages a plus

• Estimated Work: 1–2 days

• Rate: $250/day

• Future: First offer / first right of refusal if role returns in series/feature.

  
  

The marketing expert is a social media strategist with real instincts. Charismatic and visually savvy, she understands campaigns and viral storytelling. Her character is modern and smart, avoiding the cliché of an influencer.

Character 10 – YOUNG ISRAELI FOODIE (Supporting – Los Angeles)

• Location: Los Angeles local hire

• Gender: Female

• Age: Early 20s (18+ to play 20–24)

• Ethnicity: Israeli / Jewish

• Language: English; Hebrew a plus

• Estimated Work: 1–2 days

• Rate: $250/day

• Future: First offer / first right of refusal if role returns in series/feature.

  
  

The young Israeli foodie is a hardcore foodie, vibrant and curious. She has a deep love of culture and cuisine, representing modern Israeli youth who are very online but possess a real heart and curiosity about others.

Character 11 – YOUNG PALESTINIAN WOMAN/FOODIE (Supporting – Los Angeles)

• Location: Los Angeles local hire

• Gender: Female

• Age: Early 20s (18+ to play 20–24)

• Ethnicity: Palestinian / Arab

• Language: English; Arabic (Palestinian dialect) preferred

• Estimated Work: 1–2 days

• Rate: $250/day

• Future: First offer / first right of refusal if role returns in series/feature.

  
  

The young Palestinian woman is intelligent, witty, and a social media native. She loves food and storytelling, representing modern Palestinian youth living between heritage and global digital life.

Character 12 – OLDER ISRAELI MALE (Day Player – Los Angeles)

• Location: Los Angeles local hire

• Gender: Male

• Age: Late 20s–early 30s

• Ethnicity: Israeli / Jewish

• Language: English; Hebrew a plus

• Estimated Work: 1 day

• Rate: $250/day

• Future: First offer / first right of refusal if role returns in series/feature.

  
  

The older Israeli male is working-class and grounded. He can be sometimes hot-tempered but is fundamentally human and kind. His character represents the everyday Israeli voice in one or a few concise scenes.

Character 13 – OLDER PALESTINIAN MALE (Day Player – Los Angeles)

• Location: Los Angeles local hire

• Gender: Male

• Age: Late 20s–early 30s

• Ethnicity: Palestinian / Arab

• Language: English; Arabic (Palestinian dialect) preferred

• Estimated Work: 1 day

• Rate: $250/day

• Future: First offer / first right of refusal if role returns in series/feature.

  
  

The older Palestinian male is working-class and relatable, with a strong presence. He represents the everyday Palestinian voice without being an extremist. His character serves as a mirror to the older Israeli male, possessing opinions but also a real heart.

Character 14 – BACKGROUND / EXTRAS (Los Angeles Community)

• Location: Los Angeles local hire

• Gender: Any

• Age: 18–70

• Ethnicity: All backgrounds; strong interest in Middle Eastern / North African / Jewish / Palestinian / Israeli community members

• Estimated Work: 1–2 days

• Rate: $150/day

• Future: Not guaranteed, but may be considered for future projects.

  
  

Background actors will portray food truck customers, neighborhood community members, and the social media crowd. They help create the life around the hummus stand and peace project.

## How to Submit

Email only: info@ArabActors.com

Email subject line (must be exact format):

SALAM – [ROLE]

Include in your email:

1. Headshot + Résumé + Reel

2. Current headshot

3. Acting résumé (PDF or link)

4. Reel or video links (YouTube/Vimeo/website), if available

5. Full Name (as you want it on credits)

6. Union Status (SAG-AFTRA / SAG-AFTRA Eligible / Non-Union)

7. Contact Info (email, phone, city/base)

8. Languages (Arabic, Hebrew, others; fluent/conversational/basic)

   
   

Optional but helpful:

• Any genuine connection to Palestine, Israel, or the region (if you wish to share)

  
  

Only selected actors will be contacted with sides and self-tape instructions.

## The Impact of Shalom Salam

Shalom Salam is more than just a film. It is a bridge between cultures. By showcasing the lives of two young men from different backgrounds, it highlights the power of food as a uniting force. The film aims to inspire audiences to see beyond conflict. It encourages understanding and empathy.

A Unique Perspective

This narrative offers a fresh perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian relationship. It moves away from traditional portrayals. Instead, it focuses on personal stories. These stories resonate with viewers on a human level. They remind us of our shared humanity.

The Role of Food in Culture

Food plays a significant role in this film. It symbolizes connection and community. The hummus stand is not just a business; it is a place of gathering. It serves as a backdrop for conversations, laughter, and shared experiences. Through food, the characters express their identities and cultures.

A Call for Peace

The film's underlying message is one of peace. It shows that even in the midst of conflict, there is hope. The characters' journey reflects the possibility of coexistence. It invites viewers to imagine a world where differences are celebrated rather than feared.

Conclusion

Shalom Salam is a project that seeks to inspire. It aims to create dialogue and foster understanding. By bringing together diverse voices, it hopes to contribute to a more peaceful future. Join us in this journey of storytelling, connection, and hope.