LONDON — The Muslim International Film Festival (MIFF) is set to return to London’s Leicester Square for its second edition from July 2 to July 5, 2026. Hosting its screenings at the Odeon Luxe West End, the four-day festival aims to counter rising international prejudice and negative media portrayals by providing a powerful, authentic platform for diverse Muslim narratives from the UK and across the globe.
Supported by the charity UK Muslim Film (UKMF), the festival will showcase an expansive tapestry of storytelling—ranging from tense real-world dramas to intimate documentaries—spanning cultures in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Algeria, Palestine, and the UK.
Opening and Closing Galas
The festival launches on July 2 with the opening gala HIJRA (dir: Shahad Ameen), a Venice Film Festival Netpac Award winner that follows an intergenerational journey of Saudi women across the desert to Mecca.
Closing the festival on July 5 is the European Premiere of HUMAN TIDE (dir: David Ward). Fresh from its premiere at the Red Sea Film Festival, the documentary offers an immersive, deeply emotional look into the sacred pilgrimage of Hajj through the perspectives of six distinct groups of pilgrims.
Feature Highlights
The MIFF 2026 lineup brings forward celebrated international features, many accompanied by live Q&As:
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ISH (dir: Imran Perretta, UK): A pre-release preview of the BIFA-winning story exploring youth, friendship, and the traumatic realities of racial profiling and police surveillance.
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GHOST SCHOOL (dir: Seemab Gul, Pakistan/Germany/Saudi Arabia): A Berlin Film Festival Crystal Bear nominee blending a child’s perspective with magical realism to confront village corruption.
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ROQIA (dir: Yanis Koussim, Algeria/France): A psychological horror exploring amnesia, fear, and suspicion within a tight-knit neighborhood.
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ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA (dir: Arab Nasser, Tarzan Nasser): The Cannes 2025 Un Certain Regard Best Director winner tracking a powerful narrative of vengeance and cycling conflict.
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BIRDS OF WAR (dir: Janay Boulos, Abd Alkader Habak, UK/Syria/Lebanon): A documentary pieced together from 13 years of personal archives, chronicling a love story set against the backdrop of revolution and exile.
Honoring a Trailblazer: Shaheen Baig
Following its inaugural award to Oscar-winner Asif Kapadia in 2024, MIFF will present this year’s Trailblazer Award to acclaimed casting director Shaheen Baig.
Known for her extensive and inclusive casting across landmark projects like Peaky Blinders, Black Mirror, Three Girls, Ali & Ava, and Control, Baig is being celebrated for her relentless advocacy for progressive on-screen representation and structural support for working-class and diverse talent entering the creative industries.
“Growing up in Birmingham with a working class Pakistani Muslim father underpins the choices I often make,” Baig shared. “His love of community, fairness and respect is embedded in me… It’s a tremendous honour to receive the Trailblazer Award from the Muslim International Film Festival.”
Nurturing Future Talent
Beyond the screen, MIFF 2026 is introducing crucial industry initiatives to support the next generation of creatives:
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The Aziz Foundation FUTURES Pass: Subsidized access to the festival designed for young Muslims aspiring to break into film and storytelling.
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Script Pitch Live: A live pitching showcase connecting emerging screenwriters directly with producers, filmmakers, and industry professionals.
Festival Director Sajid Varda—who was recently awarded an MBE in the 2026 King’s New Years Honours List for his services to Diversity and Inclusion—emphasized the vital role of the festival in today’s social climate:
“In a world becoming increasingly fragmented, MIFF is a reminder that stories remain one of our most powerful tools to bring people together. Through cinema, we discover worlds, change perceptions and are reminded that understanding one another is still one of the most important acts of our time.”
Event Details:
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Dates: July 2 – 5, 2026
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Location: Odeon Luxe West End, London
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Tickets & Passes: Available via miff.eventive.org
