International ‘Black Muslim Girl Fly’ Announces 2020 Film Festival Lineup For Dec. 13
The Black Muslim Girl Fly Film Festival (BMGFly Fest), an inclusive and authentic celebration of Black Muslim women and Black women’s stories in TV/ film, is pleased to announce the full lineup of films for the 2020 program themed Freedom, which will take place on Sunday, December 13th, 2020. Since its launch, the event has been a platform dedicated to both established and emerging Black Muslim women filmmakers and creative talent, exploring diverse and underrepresented stories of the African diaspora across film, TV and digital platforms.
The lineup of features, short films and episodic works include:
● Embracing Islam: Ashley’s Story // Directed by Naila Haider (short documentary)
● Love Supreme / / Directed by Preacher Moss & Mustafa Davis (feature)
● “The Trap” Series // Directed by Nia Malika Dixon (web series)
● tender // Directed by Felicia Pride (short narrative)
● Henna // Directed by Hanaan Louis (short narrative)
● The Beginning of the End // Directed by David J. Hamilton III (experimental short narrative)
● Muslim Sheroes of Minnesota: Labor Organizer Nimo Omar // Directed by Ariel Tilson (short
documentary)
● Love in Submission // Directed by Lande Yoosuf (short narrative)
● Screenplays include "This is My Life" (TV pilot) by Ilhan Abdullahi; The Formula (feature) by Nia
Malika Dixon; and Amethyst (short) by Malikah A. Shabazz
Award-winning entertainment branding executive, writer and filmmaker Thembisa MShaka will keynote the event. The “Black Muslim Narratives Matter” panel will be moderated by actress/musician Janina Gavankar and BMGFly Festival founder, Nia Malika Dixon. Film industry professionals tapped to participate in the panel include producer/actress Amatus Karim-Ali; award winning writer/director Nijla Mu'min (JINN) ; writer/director Qasim Basir (MOOZ-LUM); filmmaker/activist Sultan Sharrief (BILAL’S STAND); and filmmaker Malikah A. Shabazz (CONSTERNATION) .
This year's judge panel includes TV/Film producer Effie T. Brown (DEAR WHITE PEOPLE), award-winning actor/producer Fanshen Cox (Pearl Street Films); producer/director Q uan Lateef-Hill (BLACK GIRLS ROCK!); and actor Hisham Tawfiq (NBC's "THE BLACKLIST). Singer/songwriter Amira Unplugged is also tapped to perform in the program and writer/director Nijla Mu'min (JINN) will receive the 2020 Harmon- Dixon Trailblazer Award.
Award-winning filmmaker Nia Malika Dixon launched the BMGFly Fest as an inclusive platform to expand cinematic narratives of Black women and highlight untold stories of Black Muslim women across the globe. “We know that stories told through film and TV both have a unique ability to scale empathy, deepen understanding and connect hearts and minds,” says Dixon of the fest’s efforts to demystify ideas about Black Muslim culture. “Since our voices are not included in mainstream cinematic narratives, the Black Muslim Girl Fly Film Festival exists as our means of harness our full creative freedom. We are creating a platform for Black Muslim creatives to connect, share and celebrate our stories with audiences worldwide.”
In response to COVID-19, the third edition of the festival will be presented virtually, in partnership with film-centric crowdfunding and SVOD platform, Seed & Spark. Ticketed attendees will be able to view all the films through a single online portal. Tickets are now available on the festival’s website at SeedandSpark.com/BMGFlyFest with day passes priced at $36.