Seftel Productions

06/13/2023

Our new documentary about Air Lines is available on all Delta flights!

06/08/2023

Our new documentary about Delta Air Lines is available on all Delta flights!
Read the full story https://buff.ly/3qBcKmx

06/05/2023

What an incredible night! We love hanging in Atlanta with our friends at Delta Air Lines for the premiere of our new doc. We are so proud of THE STEEPEST CLIMB now playing on all Delta flights.

06/03/2023

3 years in the making - we're thrilled to share our new feature-length documentary that follows the people of Delta Air Lines as they navigated the global pandemic.

Thank you Maria Moraitakis and Trebor Banstetter for being the most amazing partners throughout this process, and for trusting us with these intimate, impactful stories.

And congratulations to everyone at Smartypants who helped make this film happen.

The film is currently available on all Delta flights!

05/02/2023

Congratulations to our Stranger At The Gate EP Lena Khan on this exciting collaboration with Hasan Minhaj! We can't wait to see what they cook up!

Read the whole story at - https://buff.ly/40YcPNM

04/20/2023

Pretty cool seeing our STRANGER AT THE GATE billboard in Times Square last month!

03/26/2023

Stills from our new campaign for Visit Fort Worth called “The Unexpected City”—voiced by legendary Hollywood actor Jimmy Stewart.

Check out more info about the campaign - https://buff.ly/3LNb6XK

Watch the full spot - https://buff.ly/42DVYBX

03/05/2023

Thank you to The Wrap for covering are recent screening and Q&A of our film. We had a wonderful time sharing the film at the Directors Guild of America.

Read the full story https://buff.ly/3yvmzU9

Watch STRANGER AT THE GATE at The New Yorker https://buff.ly/41KtxBS

Supported by Doris Duke Charitable Foundation

02/12/2023

It's always inspiring to share the stage with our Executive Producer Malala

Watch Stranger At The Gate at The New Yorker

WATCH THE FULL FILM NOW - https://buff.ly/3YE5Usd

02/03/2023

Thank you to The Mehdi Hasan Show for featuring our film Stranger At The Gate. Check out Mehdi's interview with director Josh Seftel. Watch the film now --> https://buff.ly/3kYA8HT

01/29/2023

Tonight at 8PM ET!- Don't miss Stranger At The Gate Director Josh Seftel on The Mehdi Hasan Show.

01/29/2023

Our Executive Producer Malala, Director Josh Seftel, and our entire team reacts to Stranger At The Gate 's Oscar nomination! Thank you to The Academy for the nomination and for adding a little extra drama to our lives by naming our film last!

01/24/2023

We are in awe. Thank you to The Academy’s Documentary Branch for today’s nomination. This film wouldn’t exist if not for the kindness of strangers. We are grateful to Bibi, Saber, Jomo, Dana, Emily and Mac for sharing their lives and message of hope and friendship. To Malala for believing in this story. To the team who gave this film their all. To the The New Yorker for bringing this film to the world. Thank you.

Produced by ,
Executive Producer
Executive Producers - Mohannad Malas, Lena Khan Rev. Dr. Conrad Fischer, MD, John W. Kiser
Executive Producers - , ,
Editor -
Original Music -
Director of Photography - karlfs
Co-Producer -
Consulting Producers Sue Obeidi, Salam Al-Marayati Mona Damluji
Associate Producer -
Production Assistant -
1st Assistant Camera - Kevin Esnault
2nd Assistant Camera - Brandon Ahern, Carter Hoffman
Grip - Carter Hoffman
Sound Mixer - Zack Thorpe
Production Manager - .yaccino
Production Assistant -
Equipment provided by
Additional Editing - Eric Metzgar
Lead Assistant Editor - Steve Benjamin
Assistant Editor - Nick Cancelliere
Legal Services by Donaldson Callif Perez, LLP
Colorist - Kath Raisch /
Sound Designer -

Special thanks to – Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Righteous Persons Foundation, Greve Foundation, El-Hibri Foundation and United Talent Agency

01/15/2023

We deeply admire Malala and are honored to partner with her on our film, Stranger At The Gate. We’re so grateful to have the opportunity to work together to spread this film’s message of grace, compassion, and hope.

12/30/2022

We were so fortunate to have had the incredibly talented Ezinma compose music for Stranger At The Gate. Check out this interview with Ari Melber to hear about her process and what inspired this beautiful score.

12/22/2022

We are so honored that STRANGER AT THE GATE has been shortlisted by The Academy and are thrilled to be alongside this list of incredible films.

Huge thanks to the entire team - Bibi and Mac for sharing their incredible story of hope and friendship, director Josh Seftel, and the many many more folks who helped make this film.

12/16/2022

Honored to be invited by CBS Mornings to talk about the message of our short doc Stranger At The Gate part of our The Secret Life of Muslims series.
WATCH THE FULL FILM NOW --> https://buff.ly/3V1YAVj

12/14/2022

We had a great time taping Real Ones with Jon Bernthal! Thanks to the whole team for being such great hosts and for sharing Mac and Bibi's story and Stranger At The Gate with your listeners. Also, we are really missing that sunny Venice weather!

12/13/2022

LISTEN NOW - BBC INTERVIEW - ON STRANGER AT THE GATE from The New Yorker is a nominee for Best Short Documentary at the 2022 Critics Choice Documentary Awards. WATCH THE FULL FILM NOW Stream now for free --> https://buff.ly/3WbmfDH

After 25 years of service, U.S. Marine Mac McKinney returns home to Indiana filled with an all-consuming rage toward the people he had been fighting against. Still fueled by his desire to fight for his country, he plans to bomb the local mosque.

But when he comes face to face with the community of Afghan refugees and others of Muslim faith that he seeks to kill, his plan takes an unexpected turn.

12/11/2022

Thank you to Roberta Grossman for her kind words about the power of Mac and Bibi's story. It is such an honor to share their inspiring story in our film, Stranger At The Gate.

12/07/2022

Get to know a Smarty! When it comes to production, Chelsea-Noll McClintock has quite literally, done it all. From documentaries and broadcast television to social platforms and commercial advertising – Chelsea has run point on projects of all scales.

She learned the ropes in daytime talk television for ITV; managed logistics across comedy specials and docu-series for the likes of IFC, Comedy Central, Investigation Discovery, and MSNBC; and did a multi-year stint with HBO running office, field, and studio operations on the award-winning Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

After leaving Brooklyn for the suburbs of Philadelphia in 2018, she has expanded her producing expertise into commercial advertising, largely working with major pharmaceutical companies on projects across the US.

Chelsea loves all forms of organization and her rescue dog Franklin.

12/02/2022

The Stranger At The Gate is a Vimeo staff pick. Thanks for the ❤️! Stream now for free at https://buff.ly/3EUAgOY

12/01/2022

ICYMI Founding Director Joshua Seftel catches us up on his mom, Patricia Seftel, in this sweet episode of MY MOM... featured this past weekend on CBS SUNDAY MORNING. Catch the whole series at My Mom On Movies!

11/26/2022

The Hollywood Reporter has named Stranger At The Gate one of the Top 23 Short Documentaries of the Year. Stream now for free --> https://buff.ly/3V9rAes

11/21/2022

"One of the strongest contenders for Best Documentary Short...It’s a riveting, vital film." Thanks, Joey Moser at AWARDSDAILY.COM for the kind words about our film Stranger At The Gate directed by Joshua Seftel.

Full article here https://buff.ly/3EiOh96

11/20/2022

Thanks to DCTV Firehouse Cinema, Kahane Cooperman, and Megan Mylan for hosting our recent screening of STRANGER AT THE GATE. We so appreciate the opportunity to share Mac and Bibi's inspiring story of their improbable friendship and the faith and hope it inspires. Swipe to see two of our cutest attendees and director Josh Seftel's biggest fans...Lilian and Madeline Seftel.

11/03/2022

Congratulations to our Founding Director Josh Seftel who was the recipient of the 2022 El-Hibri Peace Awards Fearless Ally Award for his work on Stranger At The Gate. The award recognizes allies to American Muslim communities. This incredible honor means so much to the entire team. We are thrilled that this film and its message of hope continue to inspire.

11/01/2022

Huge thanks to everyone who joined us at Ludlow House for this special screening of STRANGER AT THE GATE - especially co-hosts Marshall Curry and Rachel Grady. And of course, thanks to all of our panelists Zaki, Bibi, Mac, director Josh Seftel, composer Ezinma, and Omar Mullick.

10/28/2022

Get to know a Smarty! Kya Quinn is a writer and producer born and raised in Brooklyn, New York.

Kya started her career as a journalist at NowThis News, focusing on diversifying the media landscape with unique, impactful stories. She has worked for brands such as AFROPUNK, MTV, YouTube, PBS, and more. Her projects have accrued over 50 million views cross-platform and she recently launched a grant program for emerging filmmakers. Kya explores the intersectionality of marginalized communities, usually through documentary or scripted concepts.

10/24/2022

We promise...we've got nothing to do with the shenanigans happening at Parliament this past week! Smartypants Founding Director Josh Seftel had the opportunity to tour Parliament after our film Stranger At The Gate was screened there. Thanks to MP Afzal Khan for the tour.

10/19/2022

We are honored to have our film STRANGER AT THE GATE nominated by the Critics Choice Association and to be included along with this list of incredible films.

Huge thanks to the entire team - Bibi and Mac for sharing their incredible story of hope and friendship, director Josh Seftel, and the many many more folks who helped make this film.

Stranger At The Gate

10/12/2022

Such an honor to share this win with the amazing team who helped create NEW YORK STATE OF MIND! It took a village - or in this case a city! This was the work of over 600+ volunteers.

And as Tom Kitt said "On behalf of everyone at NYCNext, thank you for this great honor. We share this with the artists, the musicians, and volunteers who so generously gifted their time and talent to life our beloved NYC at a time that we needed it most. And to Billy Joel, your passion and love for New York is an inspiration to us all, especially to this musician from port Washington who found their calling because of your music. FROM ALL OF US WHO LOVE NY, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH."

10/07/2022

Get to know a smarty - Eric Nichols, Executive Producer, Director of Creative Development

Originally from Colorado, Eric studied at AFI Conservatory, graduating with an MFA in Film. After school Eric plunged into directing music videos and branded shorts, including work for Sony and Zeal Optics.

Eric began at Smartypants in 2015 where he oversees development on branded content, film, and TV.

10/03/2022

Our short doc Stranger At The Gate was selected for the Academy Award®-Qualifying Hamptons International Film Festival. It's screening Friday, October 7th at 4:30pm. Directed by Josh Seftel. Get tickets and info here --> https://buff.ly/3RmjNat

10/02/2022

Our short doc Stranger At The Gate was selected for the Academy Award®-Qualifying BendFilm Festival! It's screening Friday, October 7th at 2:30pm and Saturday, October 8th at 12:45pm. Directed by Josh Seftel. Check it out at https://buff.ly/3SsJY0K

09/30/2022

What a weekend! Finally coming up for air after an incredible time in Boston for the Boston Premier of Stranger At The Gate at WBUR CitySpace. Huge thanks to The Boston Globe and Here & Now for sharing our story and NPR's Asma Khalid for moderating a great Q&A! Wrapping up the weekend Director Josh Seftel had the opportunity to screen our film at the Harvard University intermediate filmmaker class of documentary legend and gentle soul Ross McElwee.

Music composed by Ezinma

09/28/2022

Thanks to Dusty Christensen and Hayley Kaufman from The Boston Globe for sharing the story of Stranger At The Gate and our director Josh Seftel.

Head to https://buff.ly/3ftimtS to read the full story about our STRANGER AT THE GATE short doc.

📸: Karl Schroder

09/24/2022

Thank you to everyone who attended our sold-out screening of Stranger At The Gate with WBUR 90.9 FM and The Boston Globe at WBUR CitySpace!

The New Yorker

09/21/2022

Tonight in Boston catch Director Joshua Seftel at the Stranger At The Gate screening at WBUR CitySpace. For info--> https://buff.ly/3Ly0Mke

Tufts alum Joshua Seftel returns to Boston to screen his documentary short — about a would-be mass murderer who later befriended the Muslim neighbors he sought to kill — at WBUR CitySpace Wednesday.

09/20/2022

Congratulations to our Stranger At The Gate editor Jeremy Medoff for his Best Editing win at Breck Film Fest! You can check out his award-winning work and watch this critically acclaimed short documentary film directed by Joshua Seftel streaming globally from The New Yorker. WATCH NOW --> https://buff.ly/3DFDIhn

Film Fest poster and foliage photo by Elaine Collins