To celebrate the films screening in competition at the 2nd Muslim International Film Festival (MIFF), awards were presented to ‘Best Feature’ and ‘Best Short’. The jury comprised Neila Butt (Creative Equality Lead, Channel 4), Imrun Islam (Head of Film and TV Licensing, UK and Ireland, StudioCanal), Naqqash Khalid (writer and director, In Camera). And the winners are:
BEST FEATURE: ISH (dir: Imran Perretta, UK, 2025)
Winner of Breakthrough Producer for Dhiraj Mahey at the BIFAs 2025, ISH is named ‘Best Feature’ at MIFF. This powerful story portrays best friends, Ish and Maram, on the cusp of being teenagers. In a society where racial profiling ensures brown boys are constantly under surveillance, their friendship is ended by a traumatic police stop-and-search. Ish soon discovers that ‘letting go’ can be the hardest part of growing up. Ish will be released in UK & Ireland cinemas by the BFI on 31July.
Imran Perretta says: “We are absolutely delighted to have won best feature film at MIFF 2026. ISH is a very personal film but one which also speaks to the difficult times we are currently living through, and the need for MIFF feels more vital now than ever. We’re thrilled that our film is connecting with audiences, and we can’t wait for more people to experience ISH this summer!”
Special mention: ROQIA (dir: Yanis Koussim, Algeria/France, 2025)
BEST SHORT: MY BROTHER, MY BROTHER (dir: Abdelrahman Dnewar & Saad Dnewar, Egypt/Germany/France, 2025)
Acclaimed at festivals including Annecy International Animated Film Festival, HollyShorts and Clermont-Ferrand, animation short MY BROTHER, MY BROTHER is named ‘Best Short’ at MIFF. The complexities of a past shared by identical twins Omar and Wesam – a split narrative retells the two sides of their memories; from the instant they were fused together in their mother’s womb to the moment they are parted by the tragic death of one of them.
Abdelrahman Dnewar says: “The team and I are really honoured to have received the Best Short Prize at the Muslim International Film Festival. It is always special for us to see My Brother, My Brother resonating with so many people all around the world, and we want to send our heartfelt gratitude to the festival team, the jury and everyone who took the time to come see the film.”
Special mention: CAMERAMAN (dir: Arsalan Motavali, UK/Iran)
TRAILBLAZER AWARD 2026 RECIPIENT: SHAHEEN BAIG
This year’s recipient of MIFF’s Trailblazer Award is Shaheen Baig. Working across film and television, Shaheen has cast award-winning work with new and established directors in both film and television.
Film work includes multi nominated and award-winning features Control, After Love, Mogul Mowgli, Ali & Ava, Calm With Horses, Lady Macbeth, Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner Scrapper. Most recent features include Urchin, Harris Dickinson’s directorial debut, BAFTA winner My Father’s Shadow and I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning for Clio Barnard. In television Shaheen has cast all of Peaky Blinders and I Am, the female led anthology series for CH4. As well as award winning dramas Three Girls, Black Mirror (CH4), Emmy award-winning Adolescence and most recently Bait with Riz Ahmed for Amazon.
Shaheen is a member of BAFTA, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Casting Directors Guild of Great Britain & Ireland. A trustee for Open Door, a non-profit organisation that helps young people access drama schools and co-founder of the Casting Assistant Certificate course with the National Film & Television School, she works to encourage and support a more inclusive industry. In 2023 Shaheen was awarded the Baird Medal by Royal Television Society for her contribution to screen.
Shaheen Baig shares: “I feel so lucky to work in my dream job and to collaborate creatively with artists every day is a privilege. Growing up in Birmingham with a working class Pakistani Muslim father underpins the choices I often make, his love of community, fairness and respect is embedded in me, not to mention the importance of positive and progressive representation. It’s a tremendous honour to receive the Trailblazer Award from the Muslim International Film Festival and I am so impressed and supportive of their essential work and all they encourage in our industry.”
MIFF 2026: IN REFLECTION
Sajid Varda, festival director of the Muslim International Film Festival says: “The response to MIFF 2026 has been truly overwhelming. Over four unforgettable days, we welcomed audiences, filmmakers and industry leaders from across the world to celebrate the power of storytelling to connect us, challenge perceptions and build understanding. It was a privilege to honour the remarkable Shaheen Baig with our Trailblazer Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to film and television, and to celebrate the exceptional talent of this year’s award winners, with Ish awarded Best Feature Film and My Brother, My Brother taking Best Short Film. My heartfelt thanks go to every filmmaker, volunteer, partner, sponsor, patron, jury member and audience member who made this festival possible. MIFF belongs to all of you. We leave inspired by the stories we’ve shared, the conversations we’ve sparked and the community we’ve built together. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back next year as we continue discovering worlds and changing perspectives.”
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