Hirra Farooqi
Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director @Muslim International Film Festival
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WORK HISTORY
Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director @Muslim International Film Festival
Toronto, ON, CA
Founded and scaled Toronto’s first Muslim International Film Festival into a 5-day international event with annual attendees, achieving a 400% growth in audience reach since launch.Directed strategic planning, program development, and operational execution, increasing community engagement by 70% year-over-year.Secured partnerships and sponsorships that contributed to a 35% increase in annual funding, ensuring sustainable festival growth.Managed cross-functional teams of 50+ staff and volunteers, achieving 100% on-time and on-budget program delivery across all editions.Curated diverse programming that led to a 148% increase in filmmaker submissions and a 45% rise in BIPOC representation.Expanded digital presence with a 48% year-over-year increase in social media following, strengthening brand visibility and community reach.Elevated festival profile by attracting Oscar-qualifying films and internationally acclaimed filmmakers, positioning MIFF as a global platform for Muslim and BIPOC storytelling.
EDUCATION
Ryerson University
Bachelor's degree, Journalism
ABOUT HIRRA FAROOQI
I’m a creative strategist and storyteller working across film, festivals, and community-driven events. As the Founder & CEO of the Muslim International Film Festival (MIFF), I’ve spent six years building a global platform that celebrates underrepresented voices and brings thousands of people together through meaningful, cinematic experiences.My work blends creative vision with operational leadership — producing large-scale events, directing brand strategy, and managing partnerships that drive cultural impact. I also develop film and TV projects rooted in identity, diaspora, and belonging, including Solatia (world premiere at Red Sea IFF) and my first TV series, Camp Ameen, in development.Across everything I do, my goal is to build stories and spaces where people feel seen. Always open to connecting on roles and collaborations in creative strategy, festivals, and film development. Let’s create something meaningful.
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