New York is set to host its inaugural Muslim Film Festival starting October 11 at the SVA Theatre in Manhattan. The event aims to dismantle the flattened, stereotypical portrayals of Muslims prevalent in Western media by centering narratives created by Muslim filmmakers themselves.
Hassan Babar, the festival’s artistic director, emphasized that the goal is not simply to provide counter-narratives to existing tropes. “They should be the establishing paradigm,” Babar stated, calling for these stories to become the standard rather than the exception.
Nawal Mubin, co-founder and director of the festival, noted that the initiative exists because such stories have long been relegated to the margins. “This festival exists because those stories deserve a stage in this city, not on the margins of someone else’s,” Mubin said.
The one-day program features 12 short films from seven countries, encompassing documentaries, dramas, comedies, animation, and experimental pieces. Women directors constitute the majority of the lineup.
The event will begin with a reception for industry guests and filmmakers, followed by two blocks of six films each, running approximately an hour per block, before concluding with an awards ceremony and jury announcement.
The six-member jury includes Emmy-winning actor and former “The Daily Show” correspondent Aasif Mandvi. Joining him are Arab-American writer-director Darine Hotait; Munir Atalla, head of production and acquisitions at Watermelon Pictures and former Netflix executive; and producer Abubakar Khan, known for his work on Pakistan’s 2024 Oscar entry “The Glassworker” and the SXSW audience award winner “Mustache.” Also on the panel are Lebanese-American filmmaker Sarah Mokh and Egyptian-American actor Abubakr Ali, who has appeared in recent projects by Kathryn Bigelow and Sean Durkin.
Featured titles include Justin Mashouf’s documentary “$17.74,” which follows a former gang member imprisoned since the 1980s whose pro-Gaza message from behind bars sparked a viral solidarity movement. Also screening is Karim Emara’s Qatar-U.S. dramedy “Baba Is Melting,” Zaid Ahmed Hassan’s “Ghusl,” and Basma Khalifa’s experimental U.K. piece “Henna.”
The $17.74 documentary sounds heavy but important. It is great to see these complex stories getting a mainstream festival home.
Is Aasif Mandvi really leading the jury? He seems perfectly suited for this, but I wonder if the selections will lean too heavily toward western audiences.
Love that women directors make up the majority of this lineup. Representation behind the camera matters just as much as on screen.
I was surprised to learn it is only a one-day event. I hope they expand next year; the lineup sounds fantastic.
Finally, a platform where Muslim creators control their own narratives. This is long overdue and incredibly exciting for New York.