1st Edition of Muslim International Film Festival to Launch in London

A new London film festival aims to explore Muslim experiences through film; the inaugural Muslim International Film Festival will take place between May 30th and June 2nd in London’s Leicester Square.

The four-day event features narratives from international Muslim filmmakers as well as productions inspired by Muslim culture and faith. The event attempts to change the negative perceptions of Islam that are so pervasive in the West, and to give Muslim filmmakers a chance to reclaim and celebrate their identities. Organisers have attempted to make the festival as accessible as possible by lowering ticket prices and avoiding gratuitous violence, nudity and overtly sexual themes.

The festival will begin with the London premiere of ‘Hounds’ by Moroccan director Kamal Lazraq, which tells the story of a father and son involved in petty crime in the suburbs of Casablanca. Other highlights include critically acclaimed films set in the UK, France, Turkiye, Tunisia, Jordan, Iran and Sudan. The festival also includes Q&A sessions, panels and networking events in partnership with the British Film Commission, Netflix and the BBC.