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EDMONTON, Alberta, Sept. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — General admission tickets are now on sale for The Mosquers Film Festival 2026, the world’s largest Muslim film and arts festival, returning to Edmonton for its 18th year. A celebration of Muslim talent, creativity, and diversity across industries, the weekend is expected to draw thousands of film lovers from across North America.
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This year’s lineup offers public screenings of short films from emerging filmmakers alongside World and Canadian feature premieres. Fresh off its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Your Mother, Your Mother, Your Mother, starring Oscar winner Mahershala Ali, will close out the festival Sunday evening. The weekend will also include the directorial debut of 2024 Mosquers Award winner Ilhan Abdullahi – highlighting the role Mosquers has played in fostering local Muslim talent.
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The weekend’s main event, Mosquers’ 18th Annual Awards and Gala, held Saturday at the Winspear Centre, will be an evening of storytelling, comedy, and live performances, featuring Saudi singer-songwriter Tamtam, and Alberta-based comedian Faris Hytiaa, followed by the Popcorn Afterparty.
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The annual festival weekend includes “Opening Credits” – a weekend of industry programming, including Speed Networking and its fourth annual Script & Pitch Competition, offering a share of $1,000 in prizes.
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Media are welcome to attend both the public Mosquers Film Festival events, and invite-only Opening Credits Industry Conference.
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Contact: Yasir Iqbal, Outreach & Artists Relations – [email protected]
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BACKGROUND:
“The Mosquers” combines the words Mosque and The Oscars — a space for the talented creative community that identifies as Muslim, telling universal stories. What began in 2006 as a local short film competition has grown into an annual film festival and non-profit organization, running year-round programming that empowers Muslim creatives and uses entertainment to build understanding of the Canadian Muslim experience. www.themosquers.com
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MOSQUERS GENERAL PUBLIC TICKETED EVENTS
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH – METRO CINEMA
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6:00pm – Incubator Showcase: Premiere screenings of four short films from the Class of 2026 Mosquers Incubator Program, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. Flagged (dir. Areeha Mahal), Grace (dir. Sarah Stupbar), Like Mother Used to Make (dir. Azria Khan), Soo Hoyo (Come Home) (dir. Elwaad Osman)
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8:30pm – Opening Feature, World Premiere: Lifeline (dir. Ilhan Abdullahi), followed by a Q&A with the director and cast/crew. Co-presented with Myrrha Room.
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH – EDMONTON CITY CENTRE LANDMARK
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9:30pm – Canadian Premiere: Lali, (dir. Sarmad Sultan Khoosat)
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH
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Landmark City Centre
12:00pm – Short Film Block: six short films from Muslim filmmakers worldwide
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Landmark City Centre
1:15pm – Alberta Premiere: Cotton Queen (dir. Suzannah Mirghani), co-presented with Frames of Sudan and the Sudan Solidarity Collection
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Winspear Centre
5:00pm – MAIN EVENT: 18th Annual Mosquers Film Festival Awards Gala, with performances by Tamtam and Faris Hytiaa, followed immediately by the Popcorn Afterparty.