Aiman Mimiko to Develop ‘Native Authority’ Through Sundance-Backed Building Bridges Fellowship 

Nigerian American filmmaker Aiman Mimiko has been selected for the fourth cohort of the Building Bridges Fellowship, a program supporting filmmakers working on U.S. Muslim stories.  

The fellowship, presented by the Doris Duke Foundation, Sundance Institute and Islamic Scholarship Fund, aims to help filmmakers develop their craft through an unrestricted grant, yearlong mentorship, tailored Sundance Film Festival experience, Sundance Collab access, and ELEVATE development support. This creates opportunities for the fellows to connect their stories with wider audiences. 

For Mimiko, the fellowship will support the development of his latest project, ‘Native Authority’. The story follows Oyin, who “works the graveyard shift of empire,” freelancing for a supernatural ministry tasked with keeping Nigeria governable. 

The award-winning writer and director draws from his experiences living in Nigeria, the United States and Malaysia, with much of his work exploring ideas of acceptance, belonging and identity within Muslim and African communities. 

Mimiko’s growing list of recognition includes the 2024 Pillars Artist Fellowship, the 2023 Princess Grace Award and BAFTA Connect Talent. His short film Mr. Bold was also shortlisted for the BAFTA Student Awards and received a Special Jury Mention at the 2024 Atlanta Film Festival. 

Through Building Bridges, Mimiko joins a new cohort of filmmakers working to bring more nuanced Muslim stories to the screen while developing projects with the support of mentors and industry professionals.