BEST DIRECTION - LGBTQ Toronto Film Festival
LGBTQ+ • Gender Equality • Religion • Islam • Interfaith • BIPOC • WomenDate of Completion: 2022 | Run Time: 6 minutes | Language: English with English, Spanish, Arabic, and French subtitles | Captions: Yes | Director: Nicole Teeny | Producers: Nicole Teeny & Jordan Ehrlich
After having to hide their relationship while making the Hajj, Imam El-Farouk and his husband Troy co-founded Unity Mosque in Toronto, one of the world's first Queer-affirming and gender-equal mosques. Though the mosque (and filmmaker) receive threats and hate speech, the mosque forges on, playing a life-saving role in the lives of its members.
Educational Media Reviews Online | Reviewed by Lara Fountaine, Community Engagement and Visitor Relations Librarian, NC State University Libraries
"This film succinctly tells the story of Unity Mosque and the impact it has had on Muslims, particularly those who, in the past, have felt unwelcome in Islam [...] This film is recommended for general audiences or academic institutions."
Elle Magazine "Kashish Mumbai International Queer Film Festival"
AWARDS
Best Directing | LGBTQ Toronto Film Festival
FESTIVALS
Inside Out Film Festival (World Premiere)
OutFest LGBTQ+ Film Festival
NewFest LGBTQ+ Film Festival
Seattle International Film Festival
Hamptons International Film Festival
Cleveland International Film Festival
Independent Film Festival Boston
Cucalorus Film Festival
SFO Museum Video Arts Program
Toronto Muslim Pride
Image Nation Montreal LGBTQ Film Festival
Melbourne Queer Film Festival
Austin Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (aGLIFF)
Rhode Island International Film Festival
LGBTQ Toronto Film Festival
Queer North Film Festival
Geelong Pride Film Festival
Mardi Gras Film Festival in Australia
Spokane International Film Festival