As filmmakers, we had an important opportunity to create a film with a strong statement—that personal freedom is something special and is worth fighting for. SHADYA captures the struggle of a 17-year-old girl caught between ambition and tradition as she grapples with her identity as both an Israeli Arab and a Muslim female. This film was a journey that brought us inside the lives of a traditional Muslim family and changed our views of what it means to be a young woman in today's Israel.

The story of SHADYA portrays the universal conflict faced by Muslim girls and women as well as many young people in other cultures: the conflict between the inner yearning to be independent and to follow one's dreams and the expectations of family and society at large to adhere to cultural traditions. We believe that this film shows that ambition and hard work can be used as tools to fight culturally ingrained perceptions and ignorance. Also through this film we show that many Israelis do accept Arab Muslims in our society.

As Israeli citizens, we live each day with a diverse array of ethnic populations. The Israeli Arabs are one of these populations. Every human being deserves a normal life regardless of origin, religion or color. This belief is the underlying theme in the story of SHADYA, the story of a spirited Israeli Arab girl who challenges the traditional Muslim lifestyle planned for her, by fighting to become a world karate champion.

We are grateful that Shadya and her father were willing to make the film, thereby making a statement to their peers, and we feel privileged to have been able to witness Shadya's transformation into a responsible young woman.

Shadya now lives in the village of Daburia, north of Galilee. It's an area that has been deeply affected by recent missile attacks. She has returned to karate, as a teacher, and will be working for Danny in the Budo for Peace Association (BFP), a nonprofit aimed at breaking down barriers to peace by bringing together youth from areas in conflict to learn and practice martial arts. We believe that if Shadya continues training and gets back to form, she can be the world champion once again.