Neon Zoo | Awake

"Who has the right to have rights?"

"Awake" is an animated documentary pulled from Mahmoud Khalil's writings during a sleepless night in U.S. immigration detention. Through intimate reflections on separation, family, and hope, the film raises profound questions about democracy, justice, and human dignity.

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A Neon Zoo Original production. Coming to the festival circuit in 2026.

Get involved

"Awake" invites audiences into a timely conversation about Palestinian rights, campus protest, free expression, and the human impact of immigration detention. This discussion guide provides context, reflection questions, and resources to help groups engage thoughtfully with the film's themes and consider how these issues shape our communities, institutions, and democracy. It also concludes with opportunities for continued learning and meaningful action, offering ways to stay engaged beyond the screening.

Donate to the film

Discussion guide (coming soon)

Upcoming screenings (coming soon)

Press

Credits

‍Directors Dan Fipphen, Elyse Kelly

Featuring Mahmoud Khalil

Producers Elyse Kelly, Dan Fipphen, Molly Kaplan, Deema Salem Syed

Executive producers Isaac Alshihabi, Rania Batrice

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Art direction Ana Mouyis, Naghmeh Farzaneh

Animation supervisor Rohan McDonald

Storyboards David Navas

Original score by Brooke Blair & Will Blair

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Contributing producer James Perakis

Impact producers Gretel Truong, Sahar Khan

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Lead animators Sabine Volkert, Joumana Ismail, Eric Larson, Kat Michaelides

‍Animators Prashanti Aswani, Mohammed Hosam, Mithra Krishnan, Cory Sutter

‍Cleanup & Color Nazlı Cem, Sanjana Chandrasekhar, Cynthia Chu, Ke Ren, Cory Sutter

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Editor Dan Fipphen

Compositors Elyse Kelly, Rohan McDonald, Ana Mouyis

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Sound designer Chris Mastellone

‍Post production recording Full English Post

Voice over recording engineer Charles Atangana