Writer/director Asif Ahmed conceived Lost Dream, the film that would become his feature directorial debut, while attending college in the mid-90s'. The original script served as his senior thesis and still reflects the alienation and youthful yearning so many young people experience during this period—all set against the universal themes of political, social and personal evolution.

After a decade of work as a freelance filmmaker and marketing executive, Asif found that the themes and interests he had explored in Lost Dream were never far from the central concerns of his life – finding meaning in our existence, having something to offer, and not acquiescing to the conventions of society.

With time—and wisdom—the original script for Lost Dream went through several rewrites to address many of the concerns of the contemporary 20-something, but the central notions and the emotional landscape have remained more or less the same over time.

After raising a significant amount of the production funds based on the strength of the

reworked script that was once his senior project, Asif set about the pre-production process for Lost Dream, his debut feature in the Spring of 2007.

The story of Lost Dream required the casting of two strong young male leads. With the help of Producer Mae Nekoba, who was well-versed in the world of young acting talent, and casting director Lindsay Chag who'd worked with many of the best young actors in Hollywood, the filmmakers found two of the most impressive up-and-coming actors in the city with co-leads Shaun Sipos and Michael Welch.

Welch (Twilight, All the Boys Love Mandy Lane) is Perry, the well-to-do son of a

Congressman, who is disappointed in his father’s graft and in his own failure to break out of the gilded and meticulously planned life his mother (Patricia Richardson of Ulee's Gold and Strong Medicine) and girlfriend have laid out for him. Shaun Sipos (The Grudge 2, Comeback Season) is Gio, a scholarship art student whose demons reach back to a childhood of abandonment and abuse, and a deepening angst over his inability to find his own artistic voice as he mimics the work of great artists.

The film's producers were enamored with Welch's ability to sincerely convey the depth of his character's complicated emotions—with and without words—and stunned by his dedication to exploring the many facets of Perry while developing the character's subtle arc, from confused, angry and distant, to a young man as disparate to live as he was cavalier about dying. In Shaun Sipos the filmmakers found the quintessential Gio – brooding, beautiful, fearless, yet capable of portraying Gio's suffering—his very fear of life itself. Shaun brought all of these qualities and a powerful sensuality to the role of Gio that was more than the producers of Lost Dream could have possibly hoped for. Together, with the guidance of writer/director Ahmed, these two young actors crafted performances that carry the film from its dramatic opening moments to its perilous conclusion.

After finding the perfect matches for the supporting players in this intimate drama, including newcomers Sarah Foret (Molly) and Katie Stuart(Janine), along with veteran actors Jeremy London (Party of Five) and Joseph Campanella, the production of Lost Dream got underway in Los Angeles, CA and the surrounding community.

After six weeks of Production Lost Dream spent the next several months in post, during

which time the Producers worked with noted Composer, Nima (Rendition, Bee Movie) to

develop a score for the film, much of which is built around several songs provided by the director's brother, indie singer/song writer Ilyas Ahmed . Nima was also instrumental in bringing the band Copeland to the attention of the director. The indie rock band provided several tracks for the film, including its emotionally exhilarating theme song – Chin Up.

The Director of Photography for Lost Dream is the award winning cinematographer Alison Kelly, an American Film Institute (AFI) graduate, whose work has appeared in film festivals from Sundance to Tribeca.

Lost Dream marks the feature writing and directorial debut of Asif Ahmed.

Asif was born in Karachi, Pakistan and adopted as a baby by a Pakistani doctor and Greek physical therapist, grew up in Ramey, NJ, just outside New York City.