Brief
New York Muslim Film Festival launches Oct. 11 with 12 international shorts
The one‑day event aims to shift Muslim storytelling from counter‑narratives to mainstream paradigms.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The inaugural New York Muslim Film Festival (NYMFF) will open on Oct. 11 at Manhattan’s SVA Theatre, presenting 12 short films from seven countries, according to Variety.
What happened
NYMFF is a one‑day program that will screen two blocks of six films each, with a total runtime of roughly one hour. The lineup includes documentaries, dramas, comedies, animation and experimental works, and women direct the majority of the pieces. After the screenings, awards will be presented and the six‑member jury will be announced.
What the reports add
Variety notes that the festival positions itself as a response to stereotyped portrayals of Muslims in Western media, emphasizing that the stories should become the "establishing paradigm" rather than merely counter‑narratives. The article also lists the jury members: Emmy‑winner Aasif Mandvi, Arab‑American writer‑director Darine Hotait, Watermelon Pictures’ Munir Atalla, producer Abubakar Khan, Sundance Fellow Sarah Mokh, and actor Abubakr Ali.
What was said
Hassan Babar, artistic director, told Variety, "They should be the establishing paradigm." Co‑founder Nawal Mubin added, "This festival exists because those stories deserve a stage in this city, not on the margins of someone else’s." Both quotes are attributed to Variety.
How it came about
The festival’s creation follows recent New York film‑industry events, such as the New York Film Festival’s October run (NYFF 2026) and Chanel’s Through Her Lens luncheon (Chanel event), which highlighted a growing focus on diverse voices in the city’s cinematic landscape.
Key facts
- NYMFF opens on Oct. 11 at SVA Theatre in Manhattan. (variety.com)
- The festival will screen 12 short films from seven countries. (variety.com)
- Women direct the majority of the program’s films. (variety.com)
- The jury includes Aasif Mandvi, Darine Hotait, Munir Atalla, Abubakar Khan, Sarah Mokh and Abubakr Ali. (variety.com)
- Artistic director Hassan Babar says the festival aims to set a new paradigm for Muslim stories. (variety.com)
Sources
- [1] variety.com — originally reported as “New York’s Inaugural Muslim Film Festival Aims to Move Past Counter-Narratives, Unveils Lineup, Jury (EXCLUSIVE)”
