The Reformist — A Female Imam follows Danish activist and progressive Muslim leader Sherin Khankan over her work to establish Europe’s first mosque led by female imams. Aiming to confront and challenge the fear surrounding Islam, while calling for a new feminist agenda, Khankan and fellow female imam Saliha Marie Fetteh opened the Mariam mosque in Copenhagen in 2016. For more than three years, Danish director Marie Skovgard followed Khankan as she argued to reform the patriarchal interpretations of the Qu’ran, confronting both Islamophobia and Islamic conservatism to champion that idea that the leadership of religious societies should be governed by the wisest and most knowledgeable, regardless of gender. In creating a space to empower women in the community, an encouraging alternate religious interpretations, Sherin and her supporters hope to inspire change. 

This timely documentary captures a charismatic and resolute leader whose mission for equality frequently encounters challenges, but never falters. Directed by Marie Skovgard (Denmark, 2019)

“This well-crafted film is never less than involving and thought-provoking”—Screen Daily

“Marie Skovgaard’s fascination with the woman behind Europe’s first mosque run by female imams is contagious”—Cineurope

Marie Skovgaard has launched two projects alongside her directing work. Her first project, Syriatypes, tells the stories of Syrian artists and activists that defy the stereotypes of victimhood and war. The second project is a virtual reality experience around contemporary dance in Senegal in collaboration with Afripedia and CPH:LAB, which premiered at the New Museum in New York. 

Marie worked on the feature documentary The War Show, winner of the Venice Days Award, and recently completed a documentary series for National Danish Television and the BBC about unaccompanied refugee children. The Reformist is Marie’s second feature documentary.

Kicking off in coordination with International Women’s Day in March, ASF highlights strong new Nordic cinema from female perspectives directed by women in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.

Britt-Marie Was Here /Britt-Marie var här—FRI—MAR 6
Aurora—FRI—MAR 13
That Time of the Year /Den tid på året—FRI—MAR 20
Gods of Molenbeek /Aatos ja amine—FRI—MARCH 27
Transnistra—FRI—APR 3
Agnes Joy—FRI—APR 17
Phoenix /Føniks—FRI—APR 24
Maria’s Paradise /Marian paratiisi—FRI—MAY 1
The Deposit /Tryggð—FRI—MAY 8
The Reformist — A Female Imam /Reformisten—FRI—MAY 15