The New York Muslim film festival arrives on October 11 at Manhattan’s SVA Theatre, marking the city’s first dedicated platform for muslim filmmakers. Organized as a single-day event, the festival screens twelve short works that span documentary, drama, comedy, animation and experimental forms. Its creators intend the showcase to act as a corrective lens, moving beyond the counter-narrative often forced upon Muslim communities by mainstream media.
Artistic director Hassan Babar stresses that these films should not merely react to stereotypes; they must become the new baseline for representation. Co-founder Nawal Mubin adds that the event exists because such stories deserve a central stage, not a peripheral footnote. Notably, women direct the majority of the slate, underscoring a commitment to gender balance within the broader mission of diversifying the Muslim cinematic voice.
A kaleidoscope of shorts from seven nations
The program brings together works from seven different countries, each highlighting a distinct facet of Muslim experience. Justin Mashouf’s documentary “$17.74” follows a long-incarcerated former gang member whose viral show of solidarity for Gaza reverberates beyond prison walls. In the Qatar-U.S. dramedy “Baba Is Melting” a son confronts his father’s secret second marriage while the latter waits for Friday prayers, sparking a tense family dialogue.
Other notable entries include Zaid Ahmed Hassan’s contemplative short “Ghusl” where a dying father teaches his son the rites of Islamic burial; Basma Khalifa’s experimental piece “Henna” which tracks the life cycle of the henna plant alongside women from sixteen African and SWANA nations; and Sima Naseem’s animated hybrid “My Friend in the Jingle Truck” a stop-motion/2D tale of a Karachi girl who meets a magical bird. The lineup also features Alex Aljouni’s touching refugee story “Bukra” Afghan comedy “Haram Salami” Saudi fantasy “Malika” and Pakistani drama “Sabr O Shukar” each adding layers of humor, wonder, and resilience.
A jury of seasoned creators and industry partners
The six-member jury blends established talent with emerging voices. Emmy-winning actor and former “Daily Show” correspondent Aasif Mandvi leads the panel, joined by Arab-American writer-director Darine Hotait Watermelon Pictures executive Munir Atalla producer Abubakar Khan—known for Pakistan’s Oscar-submitted “The Glassworker”—Lebanese-American filmmaker Sarah Mokh and Egyptian-American actor Abubakr Ali. Their collective expertise spans television, streaming, and festival circuits, ensuring a rigorous assessment of each short.
Partner organizations reinforce the festival’s mission. Streaming service Watermelon+ sponsors the Discovery Award, granting the winning filmmaker an exclusive, limited-run license. Additional supporters include the Islamic Scholarship Fund, post-production house Lost in Space, and Aneesa Talks, a network founded to uplift South Asian and Muslim creatives.
Looking ahead: impact, awards, and future editions
Following two blocks of six films, the evening will culminate in award presentations and the public announcement of the jury’s selections. Winners will gain visibility through Watermelon+ streaming, industry networking opportunities, and potential festival circuit invitations. Organizers Babar and Aneesa Khan co-lead programming, while Mubin and post-production specialist Giuseppe de Matteis serve as festival founders. Their combined experience promises that this inaugural edition could become a recurring fixture, strengthening the pipeline for Muslim storytellers in the United States and beyond.
