Milwaukee Film and the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition have partnered to produce the fifth Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival, one of the country’s leading Muslim film festivals. The annual event will take place April 25 - 28, with all screenings moving to the Oriental Theatre. Founded in 2015 by the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition, the festival aims to create meaningful and relevant community dialogue surrounding Islam and the Muslim experience.
See the list of the films below.
Janan Najeeb, president of the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition and founder of the Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival announced this year's fest with excitement saying, "As one of very few Muslim film festivals in the country, this simply confirms Milwaukee as a city that embraces art and diversity.”
The acclaimed documentary "Same God" opens the festival at 7 p.m. on April 25. The film follows Dr. Larycia Hawkins, then a professor at a Christian university, about the firestorm that ensued following her social media post stating that Muslims and Christians worship the same God. The subject and the director of the film are scheduled to be in attendance.
The lineup also includes:
- "This Is Home," a poignant film directed by Alexandra Shiva (How To Dance in Ohio, MFF2015) documenting the lives of newly relocated refugee families in Baltimore.
- "Midnight Traveler," depicting an outspoken filmmaker and his family fleeing their home after being targeted by the Taliban.
- "Ghost Hunting," where some Palestinians who were held in an Israeli detention center are assembled to re-enact their experience in an effort to heal.
- "Life Without Basketball," about Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir, who broke records and barriers on her way to become the first Division I athlete to play basketball while wearing hijab.
- "Wajd: Songs of Separation," following three musicians who find hope in music while facing uncertain futures.
- "Soufra," which translates into “buffet” highlights the entrepreneurial drive of a group of female refugees who join together in opening a catering business. At the screening there will be foods to sample made by local restaurants run by former refugees.
In addition to seven film presentations, the festival will feature talkbacks after every screening, filmmaker Q&As and panel discussions.
Complete film and event information and tickets are available here.