Rising Leaders Fellowship

  Cultivating Muslim Leadership in the Arts

The Fellowship

The Mosquers Rising Leaders Fellowship is a three-month mentorship program designed to support emerging Muslim creatives, particularly those with intersecting marginalized identities, in the screen industry. Through expert-led workshops, one-on-one mentorship, and networking opportunities, fellows will build the skills, leadership, and connections needed to strengthen Muslim representation and innovation in Canada’s creative industries.


Learning Outcomes

  1. Gain practical knowledge of the Canadian screen industry and build career confidence.

  2. Build lasting mentor relationships and expand industry networks.

  3. Develop and present a capstone project for the Impact Showcase.

Program Structure

  • Virtual Training Workshops

  • One-on-One Mentorship

  • In-Person Engagement Sessions

Capstone Project

As a culmination of the fellowship, each fellow will design a realistic, mentor-supported project reflecting their creative goals and industry learning. Over three months, fellows will refine their concept with guidance from their mentors, preparing to pitch it at the Impact Showcase. This final presentation highlights their growth, vision, and leadership within Canada’s screen industry.

The capstone project should focus on developing programming related to the screen industry, such as a workshop series, panel discussion, training module, or community engagement initiative.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Passion for programming in the Canadian screen industry

  • Age: Applicants must be 18 or older

  • Identify as Muslim: This program supports Muslim creatives

  • Canadian Residency: Applicants must reside in Canada

  • Experience Level: Emerging to mid-career

  • Program Commitment: Full availability for workshops, mentorship, and in person learning sessions

Timeline

Program Duration: January 2026 to April 2026. Participants must commit to attending weekly workshops, mentorship sessions and the in-person learning sessions.

In-person attendance: Participants must be available to attend in person for the following days.

Learning Retreat: January 2026, a commitment of 2 days.

Impact Showcase: April 2026, a commitment of 1 day.

Application

Applications opened October 6th, 2025 and have now closed on November 3rd, 2025.

Applicants will be notified by the end of November if they are accepted into the program.

Additional Inquiries

If you have any questions, please contact us at fellowship@themosquers.com

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. Applicants should have prior experience in the screen industry, either through professional work, independent projects, or relevant training/education. The fellowship is designed to support those who are already actively pursuing careers in this field and want to further their skills, networks, and leadership.

  • Fellows should expect to commit approximately 12 to 15 hours per month for three months. This includes attending virtual workshops, engaging in one-on-one mentorship sessions, and developing a capstone project to present for the Impact Showcase.

  • No. Attendance at both the in-person retreat and the Impact Showcase is mandatory. These events are central to the fellowship experience, offering hands-on learning, mentorship, networking, and the opportunity to present your capstone project to the community.

  • No. The fellowship is fully funded for participants. All costs associated with the fellowship including travel and accommodation for in-person engagements are covered.

  • The capstone project should focus on developing programming related to the screen industry, such as a workshop series, panel discussion, training module, or community engagement initiative. Fellows will receive mentorship and support in designing their projects, which will be presented at the Impact Showcase.

  • Yes! If you’re unsure whether your project idea aligns with the fellowship’s goals, you’re welcome to email us with a short description of your idea. Please contact us at fellowship@themosquers.com. Our team will be happy to provide clarification and guidance before you submit your application.

This program is possible due to the generous support of CMF and Canadian Heritage