This short film challenges the tokenistic representation of Muslim female athletes in mainstream sports advertising. Often, these women are framed through an Orientalist lens, with emphasis placed on their clothing or perceived barriers rather than their skill and dedication. The short film counters this narrative by focusing on their athleticism first. The film follows different Muslim female athletes, hijabi and non-hijabi, across different sports, including fencing, basketball, and boxing. Combining original footage with archival clips, it showcases their intense training, determination, and victories. Voiceovers from real athletes express their experiences of being reduced to symbols rather than recognised as competitors. By employing cinematic techniques commonly used in high-energy sports advertisements, close-ups, dynamic motion shots, and emotionally charged sound design, the artefact aims to give these athletes the same commanding presence as their male counterparts. The core message: Muslim women in sports are not exceptions or anomalies, they are athletes, competitors, and champions in their own right.
