Undoubtedly, we inhabit a world that has persistently vilified and demonized Islam and Muslim identity as a whole. In a bid to challenge the false and negative portrayals of Muslims in mainstream media, The Muslim International Film Festival (MIFF) emerged on the international film festival circuit with a mission to reclaim Muslim identity and showcase the beauty of its culture. Set to take place in London from May 30 to June 2 at London’s West End Odeon, MIFF celebrates and amplifies diverse voices exploring Muslim experiences through film.
This inaugural edition of MIFF aims to showcase the breadth of Muslim storytelling, premiering acclaimed new features from various corners of the world, including the UK, Morocco, Turkey, Tunisia, Jordan, and Sudan.
Supported by UK Muslim Film (UKMF), a charity dedicated to changing perspectives by championing underrepresented talent and voices both on screen and behind the camera, the festival is spearheaded by actor-producer Sajid Varda as the festival director.
Commenting on the festival, Varda states, “We’re absolutely thrilled to bring this festival to London, where we’re on a mission to weave together cultures through the magic of cinema. MIFF is not just a festival; it’s a vibrant celebration of cultures and stories from across the Muslim world, providing a spotlight on talented emerging and seasoned filmmakers from all corners of the globe. As we bring together the film industry and filmmakers alike, our lineup features some of the most courageous and creative minds– each one bringing their A-game to the big screen. These are stories that pack a punch, that resonate deep within, and remind us that there’s more that unites us than divides us.”
In a statement, the festival expressed, “At a time of polarized public opinion and a prevalence of negative portrayals of Muslims in the mainstream media, MIFF has arrived on the international film festival circuit with a mission to celebrate and amplify the diverse voices that explore the rich tapestry of Muslim experiences via the medium of film.”
The lineup includes a diverse spectrum of award-winning films such as Dammi, a short film directed by Yann Demange, the French film-maker best known for Top Boy, and starring Riz Ahmed alongside Isabelle Adjani in a story about a man confronting his French and Algerian heritage during a trip to Paris. In Camera, a British feature directed by Naqqash Khalid that screened at the London film festival, stars Nabhaan Rizwan as an actor struggling to make a career in the film industry in the face of repeated rejections.
Other programme highlights include Hounds, a Casablanca-set crime yarn from Moroccan-born writer-director Kamal Lazraq, which will open the festival after winning a prize in the Un Certain Regard selection at Cannes; multi-award winning Jordanian film Inshallah A Boy, about about a widow (Mouna Hawa) pretending to be pregnant with a son to fend off legal problems; and another Cannes prize-winner, Sudanese director Mohamed Kordofani’s Goodbye Julia, set during the pre-separation period, about a woman from the north and her maid, who is from the south.
The festival will also be offering awards for Best Feature and Best Short, as well as presenting the Trailblazer Award for those who have made innovative contributions to the industry.The Muslim International Film Festival runs from May 30 to June 2. For more details on the full programme, visit themiff.net
