She was a recipient of the Nadine Abergel Arts Fellowship and pursued her graduate studies at New York University.

Ibrahim was in a relationship with combat photojournalist Tim Hetherington until his death while on assignment in Misrata, Libya, during the 2011 Libyan civil war.

Idil Ibrahim co-produced with Wanuri Kahiu Homecoming directed by Jim Chuchu, part of the African Metropolis Program, and was recognized in the Contemporary World Cinema at Toronto International Film Festival.

directed by Hank Willis Thomas and Christopher Myers in Kenya, part of the Sundance Global Film Challenge supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

She served as an associate producer on films directed by Topaz Adizes including Americana, Laredo, Texas, Trece Años, and A Seed of Maize.