The third annual Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival kicked off on Monday night at the UW-Milwaukee Union Cinema with the award winning film Salam Neighbor. The festival, presented by the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition, will run April 17 – May 7.
Salam Neighbor was the first of six films to be showcased at this year’s festival, all of which explore the rich history of Muslim culture. All of the films featured this year are based on true stories, and many will highlight the refugee experience.
“Film is an important medium for helping people to understand,” said Janan Najeeb, President of the Milwaukee Muslim’s Coalition. “It is our belief that ignorance breeds fear, fear breeds hatred, and hatred leads to violence.”
Other films to be shown include The Sultan and the Saint (4/26), 3000 Nights (4/19 & 4/28), Prince Among Slaves (5/1), Men in the Arena (5/3 – 5/4) and Refugee Kids (5/7).
The festival is also sponsored by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Mary L. Nohl Fund. Along with the films, the festival will also host a discussion after the screenings. Some of the films will include an admission price of $8 and will be located at these different venues: UW-Milwaukee Union Cinema (2200 E. Kenwood Blvd.) Landmark Oriental Theatre (2230 N. Farwell Ave.) Times Cinema (5906 W. Vliet St.) and Cardinal Stritch University (6801 N. Yates Road, Fox Point).
