The Global Muslim Film Festival
The Global Muslim Film Festival is a celebration of global Muslim life as we conclude Ramadan 2020, the month when we join together in worship, community, and celebration of faith and life.
For most of the world, this Ramadan will be unlike any other as we are in quarantine in our homes and unable to join together in our public acts of worship and celebration. The Global Muslim Film Festival is a celebration of Muslim life, faith, art, and culture and a unique way for us to come together online through film.
The Inaugural 2020 Program ran from May 29th to June 28th with FREE virtual YouTube Live screenings with filmmakers from around the world.
Thank you to Penny Appeal our Title Sponsor for 2020
We would also like to think our community sponsors - Amana Mutual Funds and the American Muslim Community Foundation
We will now have monthly programs as part of the ongoing film festival. Please register below to be updated on live screenings and filmmaker sessions below
Short Films Competition
Almost every filmmaker in the world begins with short films, it's where we find the emerging film talent and they often represent some of the most beautiful untold stories. The short film competition for the Global Muslim Film Festival features stories from around the world in many different styles, narrative, animation, documentary, but each teeming with beauty. Click below to see the winners from the short and feature film competitions.
Archived Events from the 2020 Festival
Weekend #1
Opening Night film & the Ummah Film Vision Award - May 29 - Muallaf (The Convert) Screening with Cast - Sharifah Amani, Sharifah Aleysha, Brian Yap, Yeo Yan Yan and David Lok - Directed by Yasmin Ahmad (Malaysia)
Muallaf (The Convert) - Malaysia - Narrative Film - 84 minutes - Director, Yasmin Ahmed - Program with stars of the film - Sharifah Amani, Sharifah Aleysha, Brian Yap and Yeo Yan Yan
Yasmin Ahmed (1958-2009) was a filmmaker beloved throughout Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Her films dealt with important issues of faith, diversity, and belongingness within Malaysia, one of the worlds most diverse Muslim majority countries. We are dedicating our opening night to these ideas that we share with Yasmin Ahmed at the Center for Global Muslim Life by awarding the Ummah Film Vision Award to Yasmin Ahmad in memoriam. We will screen one of her last films, Muallaf, to be followed by a discussion with the films cast.
Muallaf (The Convert) tells the story of two Malay sisters, 20 year old Rohani (Sharifah Amani) and 14 year old Rohana (Sharifah Aleysha) who are on the run from their wealthy, abusive father. Finding refuge in a small town, they meet Brian (Brian Yap), a 30 year old Catholic school teacher who finds himself irresistibly drawn to the sisters and their extraordinary courage. This relationship inevitably forces Brian to confront a haunting memory of his own troubled childhood.
May 30 - Music of the Mystics - The Qawwali Documentary with Fanna Fi Allah and Tahir Qawwal (Pakistan / US)
Music of the Mystics - The Qawwali Documentary Series - 200 minutes - 2020 - Program with film clips and the director and star of the film Tahir Qawwal
Follow the unique journey of the only Western-born Qawwali ensemble, Fana Fi Allah, as they travel between India & Pakistan for 20 years to learn from the Grand Masters. Serving as a bridge for greater understanding and connection, this documentary series offers a comprehensive and artistic view into the history of Qawwali music. The film represents twenty years of filmmaking, culminating in the ultimate Qawwali documentary series with three hours of carefully curated, never before published material.
May 31 - The Dagestan Chronicles with Khabib Nurmagomedov - The Anatomy of a Fighter - Screening and Conversation with Director Will Harris (Dagestan)
The Anatomy of a Fighter - The Dagestan Chronicles - USA - 2019 - Documentary - 57 Minutes - Screening and Q&A with the Director, Will Harris -
In 2018, literally overnight, Khabib Nurmagomedov became one of the most famous athletes in the world. After his defeat of Conor McGregor at UFC 229 Khabib went from being a relatively unknown mixed martial artist, to becoming the most famous Muslim athlete in the world. Before the UFC grew into a global sport there was a lone filmmaker following the MMA athletes creating intimate portraits of the fighters lives outside the cage. In 2019 this director, WIll Harris, was asked by Khabib to take his series, “Anatomy of a Fighter” to Dagestan, Russia to tell the real story of few have seen of the culture created for fighters in his homeland.
Weekend #2
June 5 - Love Supreme: An Anatomy of Gratitude - A Jazz Comedy Film by Preacher Moss - World Premier
Love Supreme: An Anatomy of Gratitude - A Jazz Comedy Film by Preacher Moss - World Premier - 2020 - Discussion with the Director Preacher Moss, Mustafa Davis, and Producer Nia Malika Dixon
This is a comedy opus inspired by the spiritual journey and music of John Coltrane. It’s the one-in-lifetime display of the indigenous art forms of stand up comedy, jazz, and Islam through an African American perspective. Preacher Moss presents “Love Supreme: An Anatomy of Gratitude.”
June 6 - The Jedi Sufis? Islamic Themes in Star Wars, Black Panther, and Dune with Dr. Hussein Rashid
In December of 2020 Denis Villenevue’s 2 part epic film adaptation of Dune is scheduled to be released. The classic science fiction novel was foundational for George Lucas as he built his Star Wars universe. In this talk professor Hussein Rashid will discuss Islamic themes in 3 of most famous works of science fiction from the last 50 years, Star Wars, Black Panther, and Dune.
June 7 - Resurrection: Ertuğrul - One of the Most Popular Television Shows in History & the Global Muslim Diasporas that made it Possible (Turkey) Panel Discussion with Riyaad Minty hosted by Hind Makki
Resurrection: Ertugrul - Turkey - Television Drama - 2014 - 2019 - 5 Seasons - Panel Discussion with Riyaad Minty hosted by Hind Makki
Ertugrul is such a big global cultural phenomenon, that it is difficult to grasp how big it is as a television show. The show has been broadcast in 72 countries, and this month it was one of the fastest growing YouTube channels in history when the Urdu language edition premiered during Ramadan in Pakistan. What few people have talked about is how this show is driven by global Muslim diasporas looking for relevant content that accurately portrays their faith and spirituality. In this discussion Hind Makki will interview Riyaad Minty from TRT (the producers of the show), while also talking to a panel of fans from around the world.
Weekend #3
June 12 - Taha Abdurrahmane - Philosopher of Renewal with the director Ovidio Salazar (Morocco)
Best known for his philosophical thought concerning logic, philosophy of language and the philosophy of morality, the contemporary Moroccan philosopher Taha Abdurrahman, is one of the most prominent and original thinkers in the Arab-Islamic world today. This intimate film portrait charts his intellectual evolution from his early education as a student within a traditional madrasah setting and his subsequent development as he goes on to study under the leading Western philosophers at the prestigious Sorbonne during the tumultuous events of the 1960s. The film offers a glimpse of the transformative effect his spiritual journey has had on his worldview while amplifying the extent to which such historical Muslim philosophers as Ibn Rushd, Ghazali and Ibn 'Arabi have influenced him. He then shares his reflections on his efforts in revivifying an Islamic philosophy of ethics to help Muslims in overcoming the challenges posed by the modern world.
June 12 - The Honest Struggle with Director Justin Mashouf and Cast - (US)
The Honest Struggle - Directed by Justin Mashouf - 2019 - Screening to be followed by discussion with the Director Justin Mashouf
After over 25 years of incarceration, a Muslim convert re-enters society in the Southside of Chicago to face the same streets that ruined his life. The film is a raw portrait of a man struggling with his past as a gang chief while trying to survive an honest life and redefine himself in a world in which he feels no belonging. Shot over 3 years, the film explores the harsh realities of prison reentry, the troubled state and violence of the Southside of Chicago, and the role of Islam on communities of black ex-offenders. The film was awarded the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Cinequest Film Festival was nominated for Best Documentary at the Pan African Film Festival, and has been featured by 7 additional international film festivals.
June 13 - Hannah Al Rashid - On Film, Silat, Activism, and the Womens March in Indonesia - (Indonesia)
Hannah Al Rashid is a multi talented, actress, activist and martial artist who has been featured in more than a dozen films including this short film Pre Vis Action directed by Gareth Evans. Join us for a conversation about her upbringing in the martial art of Silat, her career as an actress, and her work with women’s rights organizations throughout Indonesia.
June 14 - Ramadan 2020 Digital Media Awards with Imam Omar Suleiman, Dr. Tamara Grey, Imam Jihad Safir, Haroon Sellers, Baraka Blue, Rowaida Abdelaziz, Anthony Green, and Imam Ahmed Ali
Featuring THE BEST DIGITAL RAMADAN CONTENT FROM AROUND THE WORLD
This Ramadan our Mosques and community institutions had to build digital programing at an unprecedented level. If you think about the level of content produced this month across Zoom and social media platforms around the world, it’s in the range of hundreds of thousands of hours of content. Facebook was even sending Mosques and Muslim institutions in the United States Live streaming support packages with tripods, external batteries, and FB Live branded backpacks.
The Ramadan 2020 Digital Media Awards on June 14th will recognize the best of this global content. We will award general winners selected by a team of experts from around the world, and we will also award community choice awards based on community feedback and voting.
Weekend #4
June 19 - Spirituality in Film from Majid Majidi to Yasmin Ahmed - with Michael Sugich, Ovidio Salazar, Aidah Aliyah Rasheed, and Dustin Craun
Throughout our #filmfestival we have been talking about this idea of spirituality in film. We are blessed to be joined by a group of filmmakers and thinkers on the subject including Michael Sugich, Ovidio Salazar and @aidahrasheed . We will reflect on these core questions, what are the beautiful stories about our community in film and where do we see them? Is filmmaking itself as a manipulation of light a directly spiritual experience? What is spirituality in film? It’s a very situated and specific question based on the viewer. What’s the difference between stories of spirituality and transformation? What are the generational differences in how we see this?
We find spiritual presence in a lot of film work although all that film may not be trying to be spiritual directly. What is spirituality in film to you? How do you see the spiritual as a practitioner and as a viewer? What are examples for you? They can be films they can be moments in film.
June 19 - Shattering the Shackles - African Islam & American Liberty with Dr. Bilal Ware - Special Juneteenth Program with Wasat
Dr. Bilal Ware (@butchware) in Shattering the Shackles: African Islam & American Liberty. Emancipation—which is what Juneteenth celebrates—is not liberation. Emancipation is a release from bondage. Liberation is not just freedom, but freedom earned. The truth is that Black people shattered the shackles that chained them. The Civil War was the most successful slave rebellion in human history, and it was the culmination of centuries of African struggles against the slave trade itself. African Muslims drew on their knowledge and faith to pioneer this freedom struggle in West Africa and in the Americas. We reclaim their stories today so that they may serve to light our path to spiritual and social liberation.
June 20 - Mustafa Davis on the Future of Global Muslim Media (United States & Turkey)
Mustafa Davis is an Internationally renowned photographer, director, visual artist, and instructor. He has worked in media production for the last twenty years, and has led media production teams around the world. Today he is the director Al Madina Studios in Istanbul where he is training the next generation of media producers. In this session we will reflect on his experience in the field and think together about the future of global Muslim media. We will also screen a portion of the film “A Message to Zaire,” that he co-directed from the PBS documentary, “The Talk” about race in the United States, and the short film, “Redneck Muslim.”
June 20 - Global Muslim Music Videos from Hip Hop to Reggae with Altimet, Aliyah Sharrif, Ras Muhamad, The Reminders, Tariq Toure, Mustafa Debu (Malaysia, Indonesia, US)
Join us For our session on “Global Muslim Music Videos,” with our beautiful global crew - @altimet , @ras_muhamad , @thereminders , @aliasharrief , @tariqtoure , and @mustafadebu . Filmmakers around the world often get their start in short films and music videos. In this live session, we will watch music videos from around the world and talk to the artists who inspired these videos.
June 21 - Wajd - Songs of Separation with the Director and Cast (Syria / Canada)
Inspired by the traditional sacred music of Syria, filmmaker Amar Chebib travelled to Damascus and Aleppo in 2010. Six months later the revolution began, escalating into a bloody civil war and the largest humanitarian crisis of our time. Touched by the harrowing experiences of the friends he made, Wajd transformed into the stories of three musicians turned refugees.
Over five years, we witness the struggles of Ibrahim, Abdulwahed, and Mohamed as they face their traumatic past. Forced to rebuild their lives in exile, they turn to their love of music to help them find meaning in the aftermath of destruction and atrocity. Intimate footage of their daily lives weaves together with bittersweet musical performances, extremely rare Sufi ceremonies, and poetic imagery of a pre-war Syria that no longer exists. What unfolds is a cinematic meditation on loss, yearning, and faith.
Weekend #5
June 26 - The Making of Lissa - A Story of Medical Promise, Friendship, and Revolution with Sherine Hamdy (Egypt & US)
"The Making of Lissa" offers a different angle and a deeper understanding of the process of the cross disciplinary collaboration between Brown University and RISD in creating the graphic novel "Lissa: A Story about Medical Promise, Friendship, and Revolution.” Lissa is set in Cairo, Egypt where the protagonists Anna and Layla learn to come to terms with illness, faith, and political resistance against the backdrop of Egypt's Arab Spring. "The Making of Lissa" provides a unique behind the scenes experience by following the team of researchers and artists to their trip to Cairo, Egypt in 2016 where they meet with local artists, teachers, historian and doctors and they visit the places where the graphic novel takes place. Moreover, the film gives account for the final steps the team made in 2017 towards the launch of the book. By posing questions rather than giving answers, it aims to spark interest and to provide insight into the complex and multifaceted steps that go into creating an ethnoGRAPHIC novel. By posing questions rather than giving answers, it aims to spark interest and to provide insight into the complex and multifaceted steps that go into creating an ethnoGRAPHIC novel.
June 26 - HAMTRAMCK, USA - Screening & Discussion with Directors
Hamtramck, USA is a documentary film exploring life and democracy in America's first Muslim majority city. Hamtramck, Michigan is a city built by immigrants. The city thrived thanks to Polish Catholic immigrants drawn to the industrial boom of America. In the late 1990's, Bangladeshi and Yemeni Muslim immigrants revitalized this post-industrial city. This multi-ethnic city prides itself on its mantra "The World in 2 Square Miles," boasts about the over 30 languages spoken in the schools and the diversity that comes with it. However, when it comes to the city's politics, the city quickly splits into factions, pitting communities against each other. From these tensions, candidates emerge, hoping to be the voice for their community in City Hall.
June 27 - Somos Musalmanes - Islam in Chiapas, Mexico (Mexico & France) - Unexpected Muslims
In the misty mountains of San Cristobal de Las Casas, sheltered under improvised houses, lives a small Muslim community of Tzotzils, an ethnic group descended from the Maya. But what are their story? In the midst of the Zapatista revolution, a movement fighting for the emancipation of indigenous peoples, a group of Sufi Muslims from the Iberian Peninsula traveled to Mexico, in the Chiapas region, with the idea that Islam would strengthen the movement's revolutionary spirit. The commander Marcos did not embrace this idea, but during their discussions, several chiefs from Tzotzil families converted to Islam and changed the destiny of their people.
Un documentaire de Ouissem Satouri, Dhia Ben Naser, Gabriel Marchand Production : Feniks studios & Repères et Vocations
June 28 - Closing Night - Short Films Competition & Awards Program
Short Film Submissions
We invite film submissions from around the world with categories focused on short documentary, narrative, student, children content, human rights, Eid/ Raya films, and commercials. You can submit films here: https://bit.ly/EidFilmFestival
We welcome content from any country, and the films can be in any language, but they must have English subtitles (if this isn't possible you can reach out to us).
If you cannot afford the modest submission fees please reach out to us and we can send you a fee waiver.
The films can be made by anyone but they should deal in some way with Muslim life whether it is through the content or the characters of the film.
Awards & Prizes
Prizes will be awarded for each category, we are also working with exciting distribution partners for the category winners.
We are also working on a COVID film fund for artists featured in the festival - this will include producers, directors, and film crew and cast who have been impacted by the virus.
RULES & TERMS
Filmmakers retain all rights to their films and the distribution of their films. The Center for Global Muslim Life retains a limited license for the screening of the film within the Global Eid Virtual Film Festival.
