Films
To Live and Die and Live
Sundance 2023
Muhammad returns to Detroit to bury his stepdad but his struggles with addiction and the weight of expectation may finish him before finishing the tasks.
“Cinematic Portrait”
“Strong performances by the entire cast”
INDIEWIRE
“Intoxicating”
“Sincere and affecting filmmaking at its finest”
SCREEN RANT
“You could generously call it
Basir's 8 1/2”
"the film truly does make Detroit look better than it ever has for a century"
DEADLINE
A Boy. A Girl. A Dream.
Sundance 2018
“Shampoo meets Medicine for Melancholy”
“Anchored by nuanced, natural, absolutely
beautiful lead performances”
PASTE MAGAZINE
“Intoxicating as it sends its searchers figuratively floating through the night on a vague and unplanned odyssey”
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
On the night of the 2016 Presidential election, Cass, an LA club promoter, takes a thrilling and emotional journey with Frida, a Midwestern visitor. She challenges him to revisit his broken dreams, while he pushes her to discover hers.
DESTINED
2017
“One of the most powerful films of the year”
"The entire cinematic construct is mind- blowing"
BEHIND THE LENS
“Captivating”
THE FILM STAGE
'Destined' weaves the tale of Rasheed, a man living in two divergent realities in Detroit: as a ruthless drug lord in one, and as an aspiring architect in the other. This story of parallel lives showcases how a single moment can pivot our destiny, leading Rasheed through a maze of street violence and corporate intrigue. In both worlds, he confronts the moral complexities of ambition and identity, highlighting that the journey to fulfill our destiny is fraught with challenging choices and unexpected turns.
MOOZ-lum
Qasim's First Film
"Well crafted in all aspects"
"A potent feature debut for writer-director Qasim Basir"
"A rare and illuminating depiction”
LA TIMES
“Nia Long's performance is praiseworthy”
Amid a strict Muslim rearing and a social life he's never had, Tariq enters college confused. New peers, family and mentors help him find his place, but the 9-11 attacks force him to face his past and make the biggest decisions of his life.
The Dutchman
The Hill
EAT
COMING SOON...
BIO
A force in the cinematic landscape, Qasim triumphantly returned to the Sundance Film Festival '23 with his enthralling feature, 'To Live and Die and Live', garnering exceptional reviews and leaving audiences in awe at Park City. He's also the director and co-writer of the Sundance sensation, 'A Boy. A Girl. A Dream.', starring Omari Hardwick and Meagan Good. This feature earned widespread acclaim for its breathtaking style, visual splendor, and profound depth of its performances — all remarkably captured in a single take!
Qasim's inspiring journey began in the heart of Detroit's independent filmmaking scene, where he honed his craft by shooting films and hosting screenings in rented theaters. His dedication paved the way for his move to New York, where Qasim caught the eye of Danny Glover's Louverture Films with his award-winning short, which eventually became his first feature film, 'MOOZ-lum'. The film boasted a stellar cast, including Glover himself, Nia Long, Evan Ross, and Roger Guenveur Smith, and garnered international acclaim, festival awards, and an NAACP Image Award nomination.
Qasim's second film, 'Destined', starring Cory Hardrict, Jesse Metcalf, and Hill Harper, premiered at the LA Film Festival and earned him Best Director and Actor at the American Black Film Festival. The film also won Best Feature at Urbanworld, among several other prestigious awards.
A visionary with a distinctive voice, Qasim ceaselessly seeks to tell captivating, powerful stories. His talent has led to collaborations with industry giants such as HBO, Endeavor Content, and others, with numerous exciting projects in the pipeline.