 The company optioned the rights to the project, which they considered the first true Arab-American film, and Cox began to develop the script further with the filmmakers.Eventually, co-production funding was sought through Zahra Pictures, a company run by independent producer Ahmad Zahra, and backed by investor Mohannad Malas, which had made its name specializing in films focusing on Muslim and interfaith issues.Next, line producer Jeff Kirshbaum was brought on to oversee day-to-day production.