Short Films Competition
Help us choose the best short films from the festival (All Short FIlm’s Are In the above video in the order listed below)
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. Not all films in the above video are eligible for the competition.
Please only vote in our competition if you have watched the films. There will be awards given for best documentary, best narrative short, best music video, best commercial, best director, social impact award, and audience awards.
DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILMS
On the Ropes (Turkey / United States) - Produced by Al Madina Studios - Directed by Muhammad Davis, Abdullah Davis and Ibrahim Souadda
Would you leave behind what you love most for the sake of Allah? On The Ropes tells the story of Abdullah Davis - a young kickboxer - who leaves behind his passion in pursuit of a greater future.
A Prayer Beyond Borders (Mexico / US) - Directed by Ala' Khan & Reynaldo Escoto
Along the thousand-plus mile US/Mexico border there is only one place where families who have been separated by immigration policies have the ability to meet. At Friendship Park in Tijuana/ San Diego, the Border Church has committed to holding a binational service every Sunday to protect the right of families to meet in person. The Muslim community, similarly inspired to stand for justice in the borderlands, joined the Border Church to pray at the most militarized border in the world. This is the story of people coming together, across borders, across communities, across faiths, across languages, to stand united for justice and pray beyond borders.
Friday (United States) - Directed by Aisha Amin
FRIDAY IS A SHORT DOCUMENTARY THAT EXPLORES THE COMMUNITY WITHIN AND HISTORY OF A MOSQUE AND RELIGIOUS SPACE IN NEW YORK THAT IS KNOWN AS THE "BEDROCK OF BROOKLYN".
Muslim in Hanoi (Vietnam / Australia) - Directed by Mai Nguyen
There are approximately 72,000 Muslims in Vietnam, making up 0.1% of the population of 91 million. The majority of Muslims are Champa Muslims, an ethnic minority living in the central and southern part of Vietnam. The Muslim community in Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, is rarely known. Currently, there are only around 80 Vietnamese Muslims in the city, and only one mosque called Al-Noor. This short documentary provides us with a glimpse of their lives.
Seeking Shade a Rohingya Refugee’s Story (Malaysia) - Directed by Luqman Sheikh Ghazali
This film directed by Luqman Sheikh Ghazali tells the story of one Rohingya refugee who came to Malaysia thirty years ago. In this story we see the true pain and suffering faced by the Rohingya people at large whose homeland has been taken from them, and who face an uncertain future in countries like Malaysia who still won't give them full rights as citizens even after living in the country for decades.
NARRATIVE SHORT FILMS
Wudu (United States) - Directed by Ayanna Sharif
"Wudu" is a short film that takes one through the discovery of peace through a islamic ritual performed before prayer.
Emergency Contact (Canada) - Directed by Omran Omaid
A young woman is dropped off at a carpool lot after she is released from prison. She comes to an unexpected realization as she tries to figure out her way to refuge.
MUSIC VIDEOS
Gospel #1 (United States) - Directed by Brandy Young & Shireen Ali Haji
Starring Myreet Tillotson Video by: Brandy Young, Shireen Alihaji, Jaime Ballesteros, Robert Penna, Marina Hernandez, Jessica Augustine, Melissa Perez, Bernabe Bolanos, Kris Fortin, David Aquino, Servando Vargas.
QAD BADA (Withdrawal into the Perception of the Essence) - Directed by Muhammad McCabe
The music video for “QAD BADA (Withdrawal into the Perception of the Essence)” is set in Abiquiu, New Mexico, and follows Hakim and his son Kareem’s journey to Dar al-Islam, an adobe mosque in the mountains of Abiquiu. It commemorates Hakim and speaks to the universal message of unconditional love and dedication. About Hakim: Hakim Archuletta has worked in the healing arts for over three decades, and has helped countless individuals in the global Muslim community and beyond. Hakim has been the sole caretaker of his adult disabled son Kareem, and this music video highlights his love and devotion. Recently, Hakim’s wheelchair accessible van was totaled, and, as Hakim’s close friends, 7STATIONS put together a successful fundraising campaign on LaunchGood, which raised over $25,000.
Dear Beloved (United States) - Directed by Tariq Toure
Dear beloved is Tariq Toure's cinematic poem inspired by Imam Al-Ghazali's brief treatise and beginner's text Ya Ayuhal Walad. In it, Toure aligns the dangers of the untamed ego and the ramifications of the terror it can rain down on ourselves and those around us.
Runnin - Directed by Essam Muhammad and Muzammil Siddiqee
“Runnin" was filmed in a South Seattle neighborhood. The Makka market, as well as the apartment complex featured in the video, will soon be broken down as part of the ongoing gentrification process - a process that has already affected much of South Seattle. We chose to create the project in this location with the aim of preserving our culture through visuals before everything we know is gone. This is our story. Raised in a society where we are constantly mourning our past or being anxious of what the future holds, brings us to a point where we often forget the precious gift we are given: to be present.