MUSTAFA DAVIS: IN SEARCH OF AN ECSTATIC TRUTH - USING ART TO FIND GOD!

By Zeena Hasan – IFN Staff Reporter

A VISUAL STORYTELLER

Mustafa Davis is a filmmaker, producer, and visual storyteller. He travels the world uncovering untold narratives, bringing light to stories that would otherwise remain hidden.

A California native, Davis discovered his passion for photography at 11 with an old Pentax camera. When he picked up a video camera, he knew filmmaking was his true calling.

He pursued studies in English and Photojournalism, then embarked on a journey through Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, seeking sacred knowledge and searching for "an ecstatic truth." Along the way, he trained under acclaimed documentary filmmaker Stefan Tolz and studied cinematography with Sorin Dragoi.

Mustafa returned to the U.S. and attended the New York Film Academy in Hollywood, California, where he graduated at the top of his class with his thesis film, The Champ.

His work has been showcased on MTV, PBS, MBC, Dubai TV, and international film festivals. His latest film, The Warm Heart of Africa, explores the struggles of AIDS/HIV orphans in Malawi and is set to release this spring.

For more information, visit www.mustafadavis.com.

- EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH IFN -

HOW DID YOU GET INTO FILMMAKING?

Davis: My parents are both artists. My father was a jazz musician, my mother was a teacher, and my stepfather was a photographer. I started photography at 12 or 13 and developed film in a darkroom.

In high school, my father owned a video store, and I watched two to three films a day, taking notes on filmmaking techniques. That’s when I knew I wanted to be a filmmaker.

WHY DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING?

Davis: I enjoy both narrative and documentary filmmaking, but I turned down some feature films because their stories did not align with my moral values.

Documentary filmmaking is a challenge I embrace. Real-life stories are more powerful than fiction. If I don’t capture these moments, their stories might never be told.

DO YOUR FILMS ALWAYS HAVE HAPPY ENDINGS?

Davis: Not necessarily. I tell real stories. Some might be tragic, others uplifting. It all depends on the perspective of the viewer. As Confucius said:

"There is beauty in everything, but not everyone sees it."

THE STORY BEHIND "THE WARM HEART OF AFRICA"

Davis: The idea for this film started from a conversation with my father, who is agnostic. He asked me:

"If Islam is the last religion for all mankind, why don’t we see Muslims caring for people outside their own community?"

I did not have an answer. That question stayed with me.

I googled "poorest country in the world" and found Malawi, a country with the highest number of HIV/AIDS orphans. I contacted 16 organizations before FOMO (Friends of Mulanje Orphans) welcomed me. A week and six days later, I was in Malawi.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR MUSTAFA DAVIS?

Davis: I see life like an ocean wave. I have my surfboard and I’m waiting for the next wave to take me in a new direction.

Upcoming Projects

• A documentary on American Muslim skateboarder Tony Rikhter, who quit skating after converting to Islam but is now training for the X-Games.

• "Meccan Openings" – A journey exploring how music traveled from West Africa through the slave trade, transforming into blues, jazz, and hip-hop, eventually leading American Muslims back to Mecca.

• Visual Verses – A 24-hour artistic challenge with poet Amir Sulaiman where they create films and poetry without prior discussion, blending visual and lyrical storytelling.

“AN ARTIST WHO IS MUSLIM” VS. “A MUSLIM ARTIST”

Davis: I make a distinction between being "an artist who is Muslim" versus "a Muslim artist" because I don’t only tell Muslim stories. My work is about real storytelling, not religious propaganda.

I want my art to be:

• Honest

• Thought-provoking

• Authentic

At the end of the day, when I’m gone, I want people to say:

"His art was real and meant something."

ADVICE FOR ASPIRING FILMMAKERS

Davis: Stop overthinking. You don’t need a degree, fancy equipment, or Hollywood connections. You just need:

• A story worth telling

• The courage to tell it

• A camera (even a smartphone works)

Many Muslim artists blame Hollywood for not recognizing their work, but the reality is the art often simply isn’t good enough. It’s not about conspiracy theories—it’s about quality.

If you want to be great, be great. Work hard, stay authentic, and tell stories that matter.