Washington, DC~PITAPOLICY Consulting & Blog is pleased to be among the small business sponsors for the 3rd Annual DC Palestine Film & Arts Festival from September 28th to October 5th, 2013. As a result of the incredible support DCPFAF has received this year, they are thrilled to announce that reduced ticket prices ranging from $6-$8 and festival passes from $30-$45. At the door, tickets will be sold at a slight premium ($7-$10). Better to save yourself the worry of selling out and purchase in advance. Tickets are now available online for purchase.
DCPFAF has joined the larger Arab diaspora film community and continues to link with other filmmakers representing other minority communities. Yesterday, at Howard University, we were delighted to see DCPFAF’s volunteers supporting an Arab American documentary in partnership with PBS. Before that, we hosted a tweetup where we heard from filmmakers and artists discussing why they believe the arts captures what political campaigns do not and how film contributes to larger discussion on social and political development.
Politics, Interests, Technology & Analysis
We are especially excited since film presents an opportunity for technology, politics, and development to converge on controversial themes. The DCPFAF has assembled a variety of other art forms to explore narratives Also, it’s important to note: DCPFAF goes beyond the Palestinian narratives–another reason why PITAPOLICY chose to support this yearly tradition.
Some film recs for Pitapals interested in political statements and stages of development challenges in the Arab world:
- What does a dystopian future look like? See “Nation Estate” by Larissa Sansour shows one pov. Here’s a film clip: http://ow.ly/oSPBB #ScifiFilm #Mideast
- What are the social, political, and economic expectations expressed by the over-described, but underrepresented youth demographic? See “Lyrics Revolt” by Shannon Farhoud is Canadian; Melanie Fridgant is French; Rana Al Khatib is Palestinian; and Ashlene Ramadan is Lebanese, who co-founded Torath Media Productions. “Lyrics Revolt” showcases how hip-hop music embraces this question. Here’s a film clip: http://youtu.be/VHsjnK5DPqw
- Can you name any films about the Arab world that are entirely financed by Arab community? Check out “When I Saw You” which takes place in 1967 Jordan. The increasing number of Syrian refugee camps in Jordan add to the refugee camps from a generation before as a result of the ’67 war in Palestine. “When I Saw You” has already won Best Asian Film at the Berlin International Film Festival, Best Arab Film in Abu Dhabi and Palestine’s 2013 Oscar Entry, Annemarie Jacir’s second feature film was entirely Arab-financed with all Palestinian producers.
DCPFAF Press Release
The eight day festival will feature several short and feature-length films, discussion with the filmmakers, an art exhibit, several receptions, and, tentatively, a dialogue between African-American and Arab-American media workers.
The Festival will kick off with an art exhibit and reception at MOCA-DC (1054 31st St., NW WDC 20007) on Saturday September 28 from 7-10 PM. The opening film, “When I Saw You,” will be shown at the Goethe Institute (812 7th St, NW WDC 20001) on Sunday September 29 at 7 PM. Winner of the Best Asian Film at the Berlin International Film Festival, Best Arab Film in Abu Dhabi and Palestine’s 2013 Oscar Entry, the film follows 11-year old Tarek who has just become a refugee in the aftermath of the 1967 Six-Day War. This is Director, Annemarie Jacir’s, second feature-length film. Jacir’s first, “Salt of this Sea” (2008) was an official selection of the Cannes Film Festival and also critically acclaimed.
Short films will be shown on Monday September 30 at Sankofa Cafe (2714 Georgia Ave, NW DC 20001) and Friday at the Goethe Institute. The Monday night program will include a reception and a dialogue between African-American and Arab-American film festival organizers. The dialogue aims to draw connections between identity, representation, and empowerment amongst underrepresented communities in the media.
Fida Qishta, director of “Where Should the Birds Fly?” will speak to the audience from the Gaza Strip after the film screening on Wednesday October 2, 7PM at Bloombars Café (3222 11th St. NW WDC 20010). The 58 minute documentary follows the lives of two young women in the aftermath of Operation Cast Lead, Israel’s 2008-09 offensive against the besieged Gaza Strip. The other feature-length films, “Lyrics Revolt, ” “Infiltrators,” and “When Monaliza Smiled” will all be shown at the Goethe Institute at 7pm.
The full program, along with robust film descriptions, can be found at www.dcpfaf.org.
The DCPFAF aims to highlight Palestinian subjectivity through cinema, music, and other forms of visual arts. The stories shared in this festival are not necessarily about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, nor are they necessarily stories about Palestinians, but they are stories told by Palestinians that reflect the dynamic formation of a transnational identity common to Palestinians and diasporic communities in general. Beyond that, this project aims to bring DC’s various communities closer together through art, and catalyze invigorating discussions about film and culture using the lens of Palestinian filmmakers as an entry point.
