Australia’s first ever Muslim Film Festival awaits you with a full day of independent short films made by Muslims and/or telling stories about Muslims anywhere in the world. Our first annual event of Muslim Film Festival will screen around 27 short films within the Official Competition on 14 September at Backlot Studios, 65 Haig St, Southbank, 3006.
Six of the featured filmmakers are Australians, both Muslim and non-Muslim, and explore issues as diverse as culture, relationships, Islamophobia and racism.
“Some people when they hear a Muslim film festival, they think it might be a religious festival like we’re going to teach people about prayer or fasting. It’s not the case,” festival organizer Tarek Chamkhi says.
“The festival is to tell the stories from Muslim societies around the world and from Australia of course. Tell it as it is, with pros and cons.
“We believe that when you tell it as it is, it breaks down racism, stereotypes, and xenophobia and make people have more understanding.”
Addition to Australian Cinema
Showing the contributions of the Islamic community to Australian history, including the pioneering Afghan cameleers, community leaders believe the films are a welcome addition to Australian cinema.
“Cameleers, there is also another history like when they came from Indonesia to do fishing and sailing,” Federation of Islamic Councils Australia Dr. Ratib Junaid said.
“So it’s important for the new generation and the old generation to see that contribution to Australia.”
Muslims, who have been in Australia for more than 200 years, make up 1.7 percent of its 20-million population.
Event Details
Program: Muslim Film Festival
Times: Three Sessions, between Saturday 14 September 2019 10:30 AM and Saturday 14 September 2019 4:30 PM
Location: The Backlot Studios, 65 Haig Street, Simpson Street, Southbank, Victoria 3006
Bookings: Online at Trybooking
