W&L Presents Premiere Screening of ‘KAMAL’S’ The March 25 screening of the feature-length food documentary is free and open to the public.

Office of Communications and Public Affairs
March 17, 2026

Washington and Lee University presents the premier of “KAMAL’S,” a documentary by Nich Perez, the DeLaney filmmaker-in-residence with W&L’s Department of Journalism and Mass Communications, at 6:30 p.m. on March 25 in Stackhouse Theater in Elrod Commons. The film screening is free and open to the public, and no tickets are required. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for refreshments, and a Q&A will follow the screening.

The screening is supported by W&L’s Department of Journalism and Mass Communications and was created in collaboration with W&L student filmmakers.

“KAMAL’S” tells the story of Kamal Hammouda, a Muslim chef in rural Iowa, and his Catholic wife, Laura Fendt, who transform their restaurant into a vibrant crossroads of cultures. By blending Middle Eastern flavors with midwestern harvests, Hammouda and Fendt create more than a menu — they create a gathering place. When Hammouda takes his vision beyond the kitchen and into local politics, the couple’s search for belonging becomes a bold recipe for community in the heart of America.

Through food, faith and civic participation, “KAMAL’S” explores questions of identity, hospitality and democracy in contemporary America. The film offers an intimate portrait of entrepreneurship, partnership and the courage it takes to claim space in a small-town landscape where cultures meet and evolve.

Directed by Perez, whose work centers on ethical collaboration and mentorship, the film was produced in partnership with Grinnell College and W&L students. The project reflects the W&L Department of Journalism and Mass Communications’ commitment to experiential learning, documentary storytelling and community engagement, bridging classroom practice with real-world filmmaking.

Following the screening, audience members are invited to stay for a Q&A session with the filmmakers, Hammouda and Fendt, moderated by Kameliya Atanasova, assistant professor of religion at W&L. The discussion will offer insight into the filmmaking process, the challenges of independent restaurant ownership and the personal journey behind the story.