The Sundance Institute, alongside the Doris Duke Foundation and the Islamic Scholarship Fund, has officially unveiled the second group of recipients for the 2024 Building Bridges Fellowship. This initiative is part of a significant $1 million grant aimed at promoting and elevating Muslim narratives in the entertainment sphere, a venture first announced in April of this year. Having previously shared details about its inaugural cohort in the spring of 2024, the fellowship continues to strive towards providing vital financial and creative support through mentorship and networking for filmmakers, producers, and creatives dedicated to sharing Muslim stories.
The newly selected fellows will gather at the Doris Duke Shangri-La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design in Hawaii for an intensive development retreat. This session will be supervised by staff from both Sundance and ISF, along with guiding figures from the local Hawaiian art community. Participants in this program not only receive a $10,000 unrestricted artist grant but also benefit from personalized services that align with their project and career aspirations. Moreover, they will have access to a year-long mentorship, a Sundance Collab Community Package, and the Institute’s ELEVATE program.
The Building Bridges initiative aims to break down barriers for emerging artists, fostering connections with broader audiences while encouraging a new generation of filmmakers to enhance the cultural landscape of our nation and promote meaningful conversations around themes of identity and diversity.
Hajnal Molnar-Szakacs, the Director of the Artist Accelerator and Women at Sundance programs, expressed the institute’s commitment to nurturing a diverse creative environment. She emphasized that the Building Bridges Fellowship is instrumental in amplifying American Muslim narratives. The collaboration with the Doris Duke Foundation and the Islamic Scholarship Fund is crucial to ensuring these pivotal stories reach wider audiences.
The program will focus on essential topics such as sustainability and artistic development, pitching techniques, collaborative approaches, and navigating the industry landscape. Notable advisors include Leila Abu-saada, Rameez Khan, and Sameh Zoabi, with contributions from local Hawaiian artists, including Ualani Davis and ʻIhilani Lasconia.
Zeyba Rahman, Director of the Building Bridges Program, expressed excitement about the new cohort of artists, each bringing unique perspectives that delve into the Muslim experience. This fellowship signifies more than just storytelling; it celebrates the themes of identity and belonging that unite communities.
Iman Zawahry, Film Programs Director at ISF, reiterated the organization’s longstanding commitment to supporting Muslim filmmakers, marking an important milestone in their mission with the announcement of this second cohort. She highlighted the importance of visibility for Muslim storytellers, who have often been marginalized within the industry.
The Building Bridges Fellowship is one of various initiatives under the Doris Duke Foundation’s Building Bridges Program, established in 2007 to combat discrimination against American Muslim communities following 9/11. This program, together with initiatives like the Building Bridges Completion Fund, is integral to Sundance Institute’s Artist Accelerator Program, which champions artists in creating a more equitable independent film and TV landscape.
The second cohort of 2024 fellows and their projects are as follows: Mithra B. Alavi’s “Arranged,” which centers on a woman searching for love after a breakup; Aqsa Altaf’s “Sonapur,” which follows a migrant worker in Dubai; Khaula Haider Malik’s “Alien Nation,” a documentary exploring UFOs through a personal lens; Kausar Mohammed’s “Exorsisters,” about Pakistani-American sisters facing family and supernatural challenges; Fatima Wardy’s “White Musk,” addressing grief and cultural identity; and Habib Yazdi’s “When Pluto Was a Planet,” examining the conflict between personal desires and familial expectations.
In summary, the Building Bridges Fellowship plays a crucial role in empowering Muslim voices and enriching the storytelling landscape in the industry, fostering connections and enhancing understanding through diverse narratives.