Principal photography began yesterday (May 29) on the directorial debut of Mohamed Ahmed, A Tribe Called Love.

Inspired by Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet and Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing, the romantic drama is written and directed by Ahmed. Dalmar Abuzeid (Degrassi: The Next Generation, pictured left), Feaven Abera (Mayor of Kingstown, Sort of, pictured, right) and Omar Abdi (The Gravedigger’s Wife) star.

The team behind the project include executive producer Jeremy Hood, producer Andy Marshall and associate producer Ladan M Siad. Ahmed is acting as co-producer.

Set in Toronto, the film follows two Somalis from rival tribes who fall in love, but traditional tensions between their respective communities drive their relationship towards catastrophe. It is scheduled to wrap on June 23.

A Tribe Called Love‘s $2.3 million budget was financed by Telefilm Canada and Ontario Creates. Mongrel Media has signed on as distributor, with CBC and Crave boarding as broadcaster and streamer.

“A Tribe Called Love is a beautifully crafted script, and I am thrilled to begin bringing it to life,” said Marshall in a statement. “We have discovered phenomenal young talent within the community and are fortunate to have seasoned Somali actors join us. The entire cast and crew are excited to showcase this vibrant and often underrepresented side of their community.”

Image courtesy of MAAM Productions