Canadian Muslim Artists Recognized by First-of-its-Kind Fund
Media Release – Download the PDF version
TORONTO, June 19, 2025 — Inspirit Foundation is excited to announce the winners of the inaugural New Narratives Fund.
The New Narratives Fund amplifies the work of Canadian Muslim artists in pop culture through the marketing, distribution, audience development, and presentation of their projects. It is the first fund of its kind in Canada.
“We created the New Narratives Fund to champion the wide array of stellar work being made by Canadian Muslim artists,” said Chris Lee, Director of Programming at Inspirit Foundation. “The stories they have created speak to the depths of the human experience and offer perspectives that are not seen enough in mainstream arts and media. Muslim identity is not monolithic and the winners of the Fund exemplify that. We’re proud to support these artists in the next step of their careers.”
Recipients come from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences, reflecting the plurality of Canadian Muslim narratives. The selected projects also represent a variety of disciplines including digital, screen-based, performance-based and multi-disciplinary initiatives. Projects will launch within the next 12 months.
The winners for the 2025 New Narratives Fund are:
- Dalia Al-Ahmad and Rawan Ramini – screening tour for Ana Falastina
- Habiba Nosheen – impact campaign for The Gymnasts of Machar Colony
- Meryem Saci – album launch for Compass
- Nawaaz Makhani, Robin McNaughton and Tiffany Wu – performance tour for bol, brown boy, bol
- Nemahsis – concert tour
- Nikki Shaffeeullah – screening tour for Purgatory
- Rolla Tahir – screening tour for Jude and the Jinn
“I am truly heartened to receive Inspirit Foundation’s New Narratives Fund award, one that is adjudicated by fellow Muslim artists, all accomplished in their own right,” said filmmaker Rolla Tahir. “To have the work recognized in this way is affirming and meaningful beyond expression. This award is injecting new life into the film.”
“To me, receiving this award feels like a weight of responsibility and a deep trust given to my team and I to change perceptions, help people understand one of many Muslim experiences that exist in Canada, and hopefully see themselves reflected in this work of art,” said artist Nawaaz Makhani.
Winners were chosen by an independent review committee of Canadian Muslim creatives with deep expertise in arts, media and pop culture. Review committee bios can be found on the New Narratives Fund web page.
About Inspirit Foundation
Inspirit Foundation advances racial, social and economic justice by investing our assets and funding media and arts for change. To learn more, visit inspiritfoundation.org and follow Inspirit on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Media Contact
Jozef Agtarap
Communications and Outreach Manager, Inspirit Foundation
jagtarap@inspiritfoundation.org
416-644-3600 ext. 7