SVA Theatre in Manhattan to host first edition of New York Muslim film festival on Oct. 11

A new film festival focused on Muslim filmmaking will open its first edition on Oct. 11 at the SVA Theatre in Manhattan, according to Variety. Organizers have announced the films in the program and the members of the jury that will judge them. The festival describes its purpose as offering audiences a picture of Muslim life beyond the narrow, stereotyped portrayals that Variety says are common in Western media. Organizers have also said they do not want the festival to only respond to those portrayals, and want the films to stand on their own terms. The program and jury were first announced in an exclusive report. The SVA Theatre is in Manhattan, and New York audiences will be the first to see the festival's opening program.

With reporting from Variety.