UC Berkeley campus

California, March 13 (IslamOnline.net) – The University of California, Berkeley, plays Saturday, March 13, host to the first Muslim festival in an effort to pull off stereotypical impressions about Muslims.

The day-long event, from 2 to 10 p.m. California local time at the Science Building Hall, UC Berkeley campus, will showcase everything from documentaries to comedies, drama, experimental work and music, the U.S. Tri-Valley Herald daily reported.

The festival, which will move to Santa Clara University on April 24, brought entries from a variety of countries, from Canada and Denmark to Egypt and Iran.

Among the short films that will screen in the Muslim gala is “T For Terrorist”, which tells the story of a Middle Eastern trying to clear terrorist stereotypes taken about Muslims and Arabs.

“Birdy Has Told Me” is also a 3D animated film from Egypt, which features a boy keeping his faith through a river of obstacles.

Other features include “Oil Children” by Iranian Director Ibrahim Forouzesh and “Born in the U.S.A”, a documentary about American Muslims and Arabs living in the United States after Sept. 11.

Right Time

Juveria Aleem, festival founder and executive director, said it is the right time to organize such a festival.

“Living in this country, we constantly see ourselves portrayed in the mainstream media and Hollywood as villains or terrorists,” the UC graduate said.

“I want the [attendees] to walk away having a strong sense of pride, and encourage and inspire them to cultivate the Muslim arts by using film and other forms of creative expression.”

She herself made a documentary about Muslims in the United States in 2001, but was canceled in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Aleem hopes the festival will grow to include many cinema genres, noting it is important for the event to break stereotypes.

Springboard

Souheila Al-Jadda, festival program director and publicist, said this festival could be the “springboard for other film festivals to take place in the country”.

“I think Muslims in general don't have a venue to exhibit their work,” Al-Jadda said.

She added that people are intrigued by the idea of a Muslim film festival.

“I think people are curious because it's something new, so people often ask, 'What kind of films are you showing?' And sometimes I tell them, sometimes I won't just to keep their curiosity.”