8th Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival Slated for October 19
Milwaukee Film and the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition (MMWC) present the eighth annual Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival (MMFF), one of the country’s only Muslim film festivals, on October 19-22, at the historic Oriental Theatre (2230 N. Farwell Ave).
“We are excited to continue our collaboration with Milwaukee Film,” said Janan Najeeb, executive director and founding member of the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition. “Both organizations have a common goal of creating a more inclusive and diverse film landscape here in Milwaukee.”
The festival’s programming includes eight carefully curated films–stories from across the globe that transcend countries and cultures while highlighting the common humanity among all people. Each screening will feature local ethnic food offerings and a post-screening conversation with community leaders.
The Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival opens on Thursday, October 19 at 7:00 PM with a free screening of Wisconsin Life: The Wisconsin Muslim Project, presented by the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition and Greater Milwaukee Mary Nohl Fund. This all-new PBS Wisconsin documentary has invited audiences to journey into the riveting stories of Muslims statewide, including community leader Mahmoud Othman Otta, Najeeb’s late father.
“We are thrilled that this year we will be partnering with PBS-WI and showcasing Muslim community members here in Milwaukee and around the state.” Najeeb shared. “This is a very unique project that highlights the vibrancy and diversity of Muslims.”
Also featured during the festival is an immersive photo gallery by award-winning Milwaukee photographer, Lila Aryan, offering an intimate look inside the contemporary lives of 15 Muslim Wisconsinites and their families.
Dr. Hanadi Buali, a long standing member of MMWC’s board of directors, spearheaded the Milwaukee Muslim Film committee to choose this year’s films. Buali started an extensive web search in May and considered over 200 films before submitting a list of her picks to Milwaukee Film.
“Muslims are an important part of this country. Yet, their story is not known to many. It’s unfortunate that what you see depicted in the media is mostly of barren lands of uncultured people that are mostly terrorists. Muslims are not that and much more than that, and their story deserves to be told,” says Buali.
PBS Wisconsin director of television, Jon Miskowski said, “PBS Wisconsin is the state’s largest storyteller, and we look forward to celebrating this work and our state’s Muslim community along with the impressive array of films in the festival.
“Along with the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition and We Are Many – United Against Hate, PBS Wisconsin is proud that our partnership project, The Wisconsin Muslim Project, is a featured part of the 2023 Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival.”
Source: wisconsinmuslimjournal.org
