Join us for our first Muslim film festival as we celebrate the cinematic voices of Muslims in film. This two-day festival will be specially curated to include a diverse lineup of filmmakers and actors in film shorts and a feature film dedicated to amplifying the narratives of Muslim lives and stories across America. Select films will include an exclusive QA with the film directors, actors and artists.

More about the festival: This year, the 11th anniversary of the Islamic Arts Festival is set to be a unique celebration. To complement our existing two-day display of visual art, a film festival, comedy show, and Sufi music entertainment program will be introduced. This is a significant milestone for our society as we transition from our suburban location to the heart of the city at the University of Houston, a move that will amplify our reach and enable us to introduce Islamic art to a wider American audience.

Awards & Prizes

Participation awards will be given

Rules & Terms

Registration
Up to 3 submissions per person. Please send only one submission at a time.
Please submit no more than one page typed explanation of the film including a biographical statement. Please include in your cover letter if your film was shot in Texas, (include locations).

Biographical statements should be no longer than 75 words
We will screen films as digital files (MOV or MP4). Films may be submitted as YouTube links, but please note that if selected, filmmakers must provide a MOV or MP4 file for final exhibition. We will not accept films in HD-CAM or DCP formats.

Films must be the original work of the applicants. If a film is based upon another person’s life or upon a book or other underlying work, applicant(s) must secure any necessary rights to make such adaptations. However, it is not necessary to submit the adaptation rights agreements to the Festival. By entering the competition, you represent that you have secured all necessary rights.

Applicants are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and permissions for third-party materials included in their films, including but not limited to music, trademarks, logos, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights. Islamic Art Society is not liable/responsible for any violations of the foregoing.
All films must be submitted by September 3rd, 2024.

Submission Criteria
Films entered may be of any genre, fiction, documentary, animation, art or experimental.
Films must have been completed after January 1, 2023. Films must be available for screening during the Festival, November 9th and November 10th, 2024
All videos must be able to fit in a 16:9 aspect ratio. Movies shot in a wider aspect ratio (e.g., 2.35:1) must be letterboxed to fit within the 16:9 frame.
A complete list of crew and cast members must be submitted with the short film.
Films may not run longer than 20 minutes for short films and 90 minutes for feature films.
All entries should be in English or with English subtitles.

Selection Criteria
Films will be reviewed anonymously by a panel of judges and selected by how well they fit the criteria.
Quality of narrative
The emotional depth of the characters
Engagement with Islamic themes or representation
Ability to push creative, technical or social boundaries