The 11th annual Milwaukee Muslim Festival takes place at the Oriental Landmark Theatre, 2230 N. Farwell Ave. Dates, times, trailers and ticket information are available in this article.
America’s oldest Muslim film festival, the Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival, runs Oct. 1-4 at the historic Oriental Theatre, offering an impressive variety of global and domestic films.
The Muslim Women’s Coalition established the MMFF in 2015 as a platform to dismantle stereotypes, foster interfaith dialogue and present nuanced, complex narratives of Muslim experiences from around the world.
The other three specifically Muslim film festivals in the U.S. are: Halaloween: A Muslim Horror Film Festival at the University of Michigan, which opened in October 2019; The Islamic Arts Festival in Houston, which introduced its film program in 2024, although arts festival itself is a decade older; and The New York Muslim Film Festival, which began in 2026.
As MMFF launches into its second decade, MMFF founder Janan Najeeb attributes its success to “its well-curated variety of films, our partnership with Milwaukee Film and the enthusiasm of our audiences.”
A wide selection of films
“We spend a lot of time screening many, many films to achieve the variety of films we have in the festival,” said Najeeb, also founder and executive director of the Muslim Women’s Coalition. “I’m so happy with the selections we have this year.
“We always have a lot of documentaries because they lend themselves to talkbacks and are so interesting,” she said.” But, it’s important to have other types of films as well. “I’m excited this year we will have our very first murder mystery film—Unidentified.” It’s a fictional tale that brings together an amateur sleuth and a true-crime podcast lover to solve the case.
“Another film that I think is significant is 36 Seconds,” Najeeb said. “It’s about the three North Carolina-Chapel Hill students killed in a horrific hate crime. It took 36 seconds for that man, motivated by hate, to kill three phenomenal Muslim American professionals. The reason we want to show this film is because we are back to that hateful rhetoric, especially as we come around to midterm elections. That rhetoric has real consequences. The film is powerful and really highlights the impact of hate on families and communities.”
A strong partnership
Since 2019, the MWC has partnered with Milwaukee Film to present the Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival. The collaboration continues MMFF’s tradition of using films and post-screening discussions as opportunities to invite audiences into meaningful conversations to foster empathy, increase understanding and dismantle prejudices.
“Milwaukee Film is honored to partner with the MWC to host the annual Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival,” said Milwaukee Film Artistic Director Cara Ogburn, Ph.D. “It is only through deep partnership with them and their curatorial vision that this would be possible.
“One of the things I so respect about their vision – and which works really well for Milwaukee, I think – is that they are committed to prompting real dialogue, often interfaith dialogue, with these films,” she said. “That’s something film can do so well, deepening perspectives about lives which might seem so different from our own, but through film there’s a lot of human connection and empathy made possible.”
Engaging the audience
MWC brings filmmakers and film subjects, as well as subject-matter experts, to play leading roles in post-screening discussions. Two special talkback opportunities to highlight are:
- Opening night features American Doctor, a documentary about the crisis in Gaza from the perspective of U.S. doctors volunteering on site. In the post-screening talkback, the audience will be able to engage directly with U.S. doctors who served in Gaza and saw the crisis first-hand.
- On Oct. 3, following the documentary Traces of Home, filmmaker Collette Ghunim will share thoughts about her very personal exploration about the meaning of identity and home, an exploration that began with a trip with her parents back to their ancestral homes.
Audience members that include people from diverse backgrounds and faith enthusiastically participate in talkback sessions. Many people have noted learning a lot from others in the room as well as from special guests.
Please see the schedule of screenings and talkbacks, film synopses and links to purchase tickets below:
American Doctor
When three American doctors-Palestinian, Jewish, and Zoroastrian-enter Gaza to save lives, they find themselves caught between medicine and politics, risking everything to expose the truth.
10/1 at 7 p.m. Includes post – screening talkback. Purchase tickets (click on image to view trailer)
36 Seconds
On February 10th, 2015, it took Craig Hicks 36 seconds to extinguish the lives of three young, Muslim Americans. Before they can grieve, the families are forced to become activists to set the record straight about the murders.
10/2 at 7 p.m. No post – screening talkback. Purchase tickets (click on image to view trailer)
Hanging by a Wire
When a cable car malfunctions in the mountains, eight people including six students are trapped high above a valley. As time runs out before the final cable fails, rescue teams work against the clock to save the stranded passengers.
10/3 at 1 p.m. No post – screening talkback. Purchase tickets (click on image to view trailer)
Seeds for Liberation
“Seeds for Liberation” explores Palestinian resistance through emotional and impactful interviews with historians, activists, legal scholars and experts.
10/3 at 4 p.m. Includes post – screening talkback. Purchase tickets (click on image to view trailer)
Traces of Home
Filmmaker Colette Ghunim takes her parents to find the ancestral homes in Mexico and Palestine that they had fled from decades earlier.
10/3 at 7 p.m. Includes post – screening talkback. Purchase tickets (click on image to view trailer)
Unidentified
A grieving mother, fueled by her passion for true crime, seeks answers when a teenage girl is found dead in the desert and the police investigation stalls.
10/3 at 7 p.m. No post – screening talkback. Purchase tickets (click on image to view trailer)
Who Killed Alex Odeh?
A Palestinian American activist’s murder in Southern California sparks a 40-year search for justice, exposing the origins of a modern political movement’s dangerous ideology.
10/4 at 4 p.m. Includes post – screening talkback. Purchase tickets (click on image to view trailer)
Shoot the People
A documentary capturing photographer and activist Misan Harriman’s journey documenting global protest movements that drive social change.
10/4 at 7 p.m. Includes post – screening talkback. Purchase tickets (click on image to view trailer)
The Muslim Women’s Coalition extends its heartfelt thanks to our sponsors. Your support and generosity help the ongoing success of the Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival.
Because of you, we can share powerful stories, spark meaningful dialogue and celebrate Muslim voices through the art of film. We are grateful for your partnership.
PRESENTING SPONSOR
Greater Milwaukee Foundation
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
Islamic Society of Milwaukee
Dura Tax Services
US Palestinian Community Network
True Dental
COMMUNITY SPONSORS:
Hanan Relief Group
Chik ‘n’ Dip
Hayat Pharmacy
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