Junior/Intermediate Films

1001 Inventions and the Library of Secrets (2010)

Three school children visit a dusty library to research the story of ‘The Dark Ages'. What they find changes their worldview dramatically as ingenious inventors and pioneers of science and culture are vividly brought to life.

See section 5.0 “Curriculum and Study Guides” for teacher’s guide and activities.

Runtime: 13m

14 and Muslim (2018)

Muslim teenagers are at a crossroads - remain in Islamic school or enter Catholic or public high school. With the way of the world, it's an interesting time to grow up as a young Muslim in Canada.

See section 5.0 “Curriculum and Study Guides” for teacher’s guide and activities.

Runtime: 12m each

5 Muslim Inventions That Changed the World  (2017)

Five Muslim inventions that changed the world: (1) coffee, (2) algebra, (3) universities, (4) cameras and (5) flying.

Runtime: 2m

A Land Called Paradise (2007)

In 2007, over 2,000 American Muslims were asked what they would wish to say to the rest of the world. Kareem Salama provides the acoustics, the film is directed by Lena Khan.

Runtime: 4m

Bilal: A New Breed of Hero (2015)     

An animated film that describes the life of Bilal ibn Rabah, an important historical figure in Islam. Born in Ethiopia and abducted as a child, he found himself in a strange land far from home. Bilal was eventually freed from slavery and became an honoured leader in his society. The film has links to racial equity and the perseverance of the human spirit.   

Runtime: 1hr 47m

Forty Beautiful Stories (2016)

Forty Beautiful Stories turns its objective towards the beautiful examples we see in life. It directs the spotlight towards the warm stories centered around the human being. Each episode of FORTY consists of self-contained short films. Los Angeles based Tilia Films shoots the short films originally in English. Viewers also have the option of watching with subtitles in over 20 languages. 

Runtime: <5m each

Halal in the Family (2015)

Aasif Mandvi's sitcom/parody web-series (4 episode web series) is about an all-American Muslim family. Halal in the Family aims to combat bias and challenge misconceptions about Muslims and communities associated with Muslims.

Runtime: 6m each

Human Flow (2017)

Over 65 million people around the world have been forced from their homes to escape famine, climate change and war in the greatest human displacement since World War II. Human Flow, an epic film journey led by the internationally renowned artist Ai Weiwei, gives a powerful visual expression to this massive human migration. [IMDB]

Runtime: 58m

Jerusalem (2013)

The archaeologist Jodi Magness travels through the city gaining unprecedented access to holy sites and its vast underground network to unravel some of Jerusalem's greatest mysteries. It is narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch. [Amazon]

Runtime: 45m

Journey to Mecca: In the Footsteps of Ibn Battuta (2009)

One of the greatest travellers in human history, 21 year old law student Ibn Battuta sets out alone to Mecca from Tangiers in 1325 and returns to Morocco almost 30 years later. This is the story of his first movie ends with never-before documentary footage of the contemporary Hajj. It was filmed for IMAX for initial presentation and other giant screen cinemas. [IMDB]

Runtime: 45m

Koran by Heart (2011)

The world's preeminent Koran recitation competition takes place each year in Cairo, drawing Muslim children from as far as Tajikistan and the Maldives to perform in front of a panel of prominent judges. This documentary follows these talented youngsters from their intense preparation regimes through the rigorous rounds of the tournament. [HBO.com]

See section 5.0 “Curriculum and Study Guides” for teacher’s guide and activities.

Runtime: 90m

Life Without Basketball (2019)

Life Without Basketball takes us inside the life of Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir. As a record-breaking high school star and college athlete, her life as a basketball player had structure and a clear forward path. Bilqis was raised to follow the Quran and has been wearing hijab since the age of fourteen.

Runtime: 1h 38m

One American’s Pilgrimage to Hajj (1997)

This documentary follows writer/producer Michael Wolfe; his second trip on Hajj for ABC News' Nightline. One of the more than seven million Muslims in the United States, Wolfe is a convert to Islam, born to a Christian mother and a Jewish father. In this video he speaks live from the Ka'ba, the Great Mosque in Mecca, in an interview with ABC News' Ted Koppel. [Amazon]

Runtime: 21m

One Day in the Haram (2017)

One Day in the Haram is the extraordinary story of the Haram in Makkah, a place so revered that non-Muslims are forbidden from even setting foot in it. For the 1st time in history, witness the inner workings of the Haram, as seen through the eyes of the workers, over a full day period. Director Abrar Hussain spent over a year researching different aspects of the Haram, to bring you the most complete and compelling vision of the Haram ever produced. [IMDB]

Runtime: 1h 22m

One Night in Al Aqsa (2019)

Al Aqsa is one of the world's most revered Islamic holy sites, but remains shrouded in mystery. This is a place where miracles, that helped define the religion of Islam, took place. Now, for the first time, experience the power of Al Aqsa, as told through the eyes of the people who live and work there. [IMDB]

Runtime: 1h 28m

Salaam B’y - A Story of a Muslim Newfoundlander (2018)

A short documentary about a young Muslim Newfoundlander returning to his home province to share a message of hope in a time of great economic uncertainty.

Runtime: 21 m

Salam Neighbor (2015)

Two American filmmakers (Zach Ingrasci and Chris Temple) travel to the edge of war to live with 85,000 Syrian refugees in the Za'atari camp. Experience the heartbreak and hope on the frontlines of the refugee crisis in this film. [Amazon]

Runtime: 1h 15m

Secret Life of Muslims (2016-2017)

Filmmaker Joshua Seftel, who as a child was taunted by other kids because he was Jewish, created a new documentary series, “The Secret Life of Muslims,” to explore the stories of Muslims in America. Also available on www.youtube.com

Runtime: <5m each

The Dome (2017)

Javed Jah is an architect and street artist. He was commissioned to paint the dome of Madina Mosque in Toronto. He ended up painting it by hand over the span of a year. This is how he did it!

Runtime: 24m

Yassmin Abdel-Magied: What does my headscarf mean to you? (2014)

What do you think when you look at this speaker? Well, think again (and then again!) In this funny, honest, empathetic talk, Yassmin Abdel-Magied challenges us to look beyond our initial perceptions, and to open doors to new ways of supporting others.

See section 5.0 “Curriculum and Study Guides” for teacher’s guide and activities.

Runtime: 14m