Nadia Masoudi is 17 years old and lives in Canada. She is currently producing a documentary on animal rights and vegetarianism called Don't Eat Me.

What school do you attend?
I attend Cardinal Newman Secondary School in Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada. I am looking forward to be entering my last year of high school this month.

Have you studied film?
I have studied film in grade 10. I took communications technology where my peers and I were taught about TV/video production, audio, graphic communication, photography, and animation. Since the age of two, I have been exposed to the film and production industry. My father is a director and an entrepreneur, the founder of Moe-Tion Picture Productions and BizClip Inc. - a company that specializes in online video ads.  My dad has also produced/directed/edited his own feature film, 3 Days, where I spent my entire summer on set. He has created many other music videos, commercials, wedding videos, etc. I learned how to edit when I was 11, creating my first wedding video. Since then, film has always interested me.

Can you tell us about, Don’t Eat Me?
'Don't Eat Me' is a documentary on animal rights, veganism, and the way society generates thoughts about animals and their meat. Interspersed throughout the movie are engaging interviews with both the famous and the average Joe, the religious and the political icons, creating a balanced portrayal of the general consensus on the morality of eating meat.

As a sub-plot of the film, the characters Bob, Annie, Fernando, Emma and Kharoof are introduced. Bob is a calf, who grows to become a happy, free-range cow. Contrastingly, Bob's cousins are not as lucky. Annie, the hen's life isn't as good as Bob's. She endures her time in a battery cage, along with many other confined chickens. Unfortunately, Annie is at the bottom of all the cages, so the waste from her friends ends up upon her. Fernando is a fish living in the ocean, happy as can be. He has it all - room to swim, places to go, and above all his beloved soul mate. All is well for Fernando until a fisherman catches Fernando's companion. Fernando swims effortlessly looking for his love, jumping in and out of the water. Emma is an intelligent little piglet who lives in horrendous living conditions. Shortly after her birth, she is impregnated artificially. She lives her life wishing for a chance to roll around in the mud. Kharoof is a lamb, who lives in the Middle East. He grows up living a happy life, adoring his owner who feeds him generously. The day comes when Kharoof's owner turns on him, and sends him to a butcher to be "sacrificed" religiously, and is devoured.

The documentary will also pose socio-political questions such as 'Why do we eat meat?', 'Have we always eaten meat?' and 'Do we really need it?'

How did you come up with the idea to make this kind of film?
Over five years ago, my father and I drove to the supermarket. At the time, we both ate meat. Returning home with a strip of ribs, we were repulsed by the sight of how the meat resembled rotting flesh. We both became vegetarians that day, eventually becoming strict vegans. Over the years, we realized that many animals suffer excruciating pain, cramped quarters and general hardships daily just to produce for humans to consume. I was stunned to learn that the majority of the world turned a blind eye to the foods that they eat, unaware of the trauma that animals undergo.
Five years later, my father inspired me to make a documentary,insisting that if people can see the lives behind the superstore packaging, maybe they too will make a conscious effort to help the furry, woolly, feathered and gilled creatures of the earth - who are not much different from ourselves.

What kind of support and funding have you received?
I have received participation and acknowledgment from established people in the vegetarian community such as Pamela Anderson, Woody Harrelson, and Karen Dawn, (author of 'Thanking the Monkey' and renowned animal rights activist). Best-selling author Jeffrey Masson (When Elephants Weep, Dogs Never Lie about Love, and The Face on Your Plate) has expressed interest for 'Don't Eat Me' as well as the bands 'No Age' and 'Earth Crisis.'

Other than celebrity support, I have received lots of support from my family, friends, and many animal friendly organizations - such as Compassion in World Farming, Gourmet Cruelty, PETA, Vegetarians International Voice for Animals, Chooseveg.ca, and  the Viva! Organization. So far everyone who has come on board with Don't Eat Me has been willing to help in any way. I feel truly blessed to have such great people involved with this project.

I have received funding through BizClip Inc. - an online global video provider company who produces thousands of online video advertisements for companies around the world.

What are some of your favorite vegan meals?
My favorite vegan meal would have to be fried tofu, eggplant and spinach served with rice. I eat tofu regularly, served with almost every dish. I also enjoy other vegan meals such as barbequed tofu, veggie burgers, potatoes, soya beans and fruit salad. Vanilla soy milk is also my favorite beverage!

What other animal issues concern you?
Every single animal issue that is present in the world concerns me, from animal testing to seal clubbing. I have faith that these archaic practices will go away if we all do our part and change for the better.

What is your advice on how teens can best help animals?
My advice on how teens can best help animals is to go vegan and cut meat and dairy out of your diet. You'll feel great knowing that you are not supporting the slaughter of innocent animals. You will also feel much healthier! There are tons of other foods out there that can replace meat/dairy, which also taste great and are much better for you. Fruits, vegetables, peanuts, tofu and soy products are a few food items that can replace meat. Soy is loaded with iron, protein, calcium and tons of other nutrients our bodies need, so it is an ideal choice.

Anything else you'd like to add?
Don't Eat Me's mission is to provide animals in need with sanctuaries that they can reside in. Also, Don't Eat Me will try and persuade the leaders of countries to fund more research and development for new food products that can completely replace the slaughtering of animals.

If anyone has any questions or comments on Don't Eat Me please feel free to email me at nadia@bizclip.com. I would be delighted to speak with you and provide you with further info on the documentary, vegan dishes, or any other concerns. Make sure you watch out for Don't Eat Me, which is planned to be released in 2010. You can also check out the upcoming website www.donteatme.ca