I immediately was captured by 'The Reluctant Fundamentalist.' It gave me a springboard into contemporary Pakistan and a dialogue between Pakistan and the rest of the world.

Katwe is fifteen minutes from my home. It's entirely about knowing it from the inside. For instance, the incredible vibrancy of style. Kampala is the center of used clothing in the world. Everyone dresses in secondhand clothes, but they look astonishing for it.

Every frame and every scene has to have an intention.

We never see the fancy schools with the blazers and ties in films about Africa! But, in fact, we too have class and elitism.

I'm the bullheaded type, and I really don't give up if I fall in love.

My close friends call me the bulldozer who never says no. I have never not made a film.

In America, we have so many movies and so much media about the Islamic world, the sub-continental world, but it's not a conversation, it's a monologue. It's always from one point of view. 'If we don't tell our own stories, no one will tell them' is my mantra.

I want to question what the outside is and who defines it. I often find those that are considered to be on the outside extremely inspiring.

I am Indian, and my home is Kampala. My world is already diverse. But films are financed by those who want to see themselves on screen, and it is a white male world. Still, it does feel like America is waking up. Let's hope it's the start of an avalanche.

I dream of living off the land completely - in vain, because the monkeys eat everything.

It's only at this age that I can say the word 'art' without flinching.

I am still attracted to stories about people who are considered to be on the outside of society. I still seek inspiration from those stories.

My films, no one else will do.

Humility is not a trait I often associate with America.

Never take no for answer, and try to make films that turn you on.

In our house we say 'adolescence' is a western word. We don't believe in it.

You have to want to be in the company of those you're making films about.

Bollywood actors are so set in what they want, and the way they want it. And why shouldn't they be? But it is not the same in Hollywood, because the love of the audience is not the same.

I think films have to reach people and really grab them. That's what I hope to do when I make a film - to get under your skin and really make you think about something, and have a transporting time that takes you somewhere.

I think optimism springs from nature. I'm a gardener. Nature has taught me about rhythm, the essence of every art. With so much that is terrible, nature gives me pleasure.

I am actually a resident of three worlds - of America, of India, and of Africa. I live in Uganda most of the year. It's extraordinary to have that worldview that is an expansive one rather than just looking at the world from where you sit.

I think I am kind of put on this Earth to speak of being between worlds in my films.

A lot of us feel that we are against the war; we are against profiling and are against what is happening. We are tired of war in every manifestation. American people do not all believe in what the government has been doing.

My family is vital to me - just the sense of being surrounded by no pretension.

'Queen of Katwe' is an absolutely true story. And it's wonderful. But it's not about saviors. Your only savior is yourself - but yourself with your community. It's never alone. You have to have someone who believes in you.

No one goes to Pakistan to make movies. You stick out.

I always soak in a bath with Epsom salts for a minimum of 20 minutes to absorb the magnesium once I get home.

Never lose your undying belief in yourself and your abilities.

I wanted to make America proud.

It's easy to look into the future and worry about the past.

I tell my boyfriend that... we should get a ranch so we can just adopt all the dogs that need homes, and they can just run around all day.

I'm really good at window shopping, or I'll go into a store and just choose one thing.

When I was in middle school, I remember thinking, like, Tara Lipinski was 14: I only got a few more years to go before I'm really old.

When I'm at home, I'm a real big cuddler, so I sleep with my dog in my arms.

Figure skaters are usually young and then just fade away. But I'm not a fade-away kind of person.

I have always believed that I am an amazing skater regardless of what the results say, and I think that determination and confidence has kept me in the game so long.

I can snap my toes. Everyone keeps asking me this, but I know it's kind of weird, but I think it's fun that I can snap my toes.

I think being in the public eye has made me more determined than other people to show that I do belong at the top, and I believe I am one of the hardest-working people at the rink. I feel like I have always been that way, but sometimes I just get in my own way.

My dad is a very creative type of person, so he has rolls that make no sense to most people familiar with sushi. He has a High Five roll. What is that? Don't ask questions. Just try it. He's kind of mischievous, and that's how I am, too.

I would like to be on 'Dancing With the Stars' because I want to be a star.

I think I would be bored if I were winning all the time, even though it would be nice.

My dad usually never has time for my skating, which is OK because they have to make a living somehow. For them to put their business on hold and come all the way to Korea to watch me skate - especially my dad - he feels responsible not just for my mom and for himself, but there are a lot of people who work there, too.

I think my own thinking is harsher than my mom's discipline.

For the American culture to evolve and include Asians is so amazing.

A lot of people know me for my speed and my flexibility. I like to jump, but I'm not really the best jumper. I'm more of a spinner.

I loved being at the rink every day and training.

The only thing I can expect from myself is to learn from each competition and improve.

Skating becomes more important to me every year. It's obviously harder as age takes a toll on the body and the brain, and I think because of that, competing becomes much more difficult. That's why those who stick around are always so appreciative of others' skating because we know how much work goes into it.

Sports are evolving and always evolving, and people have that determination to keep going and coming back. I think I'm one of those athletes. I stand to show that people shouldn't give up. You've got to just keep going until you succeed.

I pride myself on being Japanese American.