FESTIVAL NEWS AND EVENTS
 Friday, November 16, 8:00PM
Berklee Performance Hall, 136 Massachusetts Avenue
Box Office: 617-747-2261
www.ticketmaster.com With a grant from the Berklee Performance Center, Tawassul, ADCMA proudly bring Marcel Khalife to Boston with his Taqasim of Mahmouud Darwich Poetry. The event is a benefit concert to bring two students from the Edward Said National Music Conservatory in Palestine for a 5 week summer program at the Berklee College of Music, summer 2008.
Though born in Lebanon, Marcel Khalife is a cultural icon throughout the Arab World. Perhaps no other contemporary artist has so changed the face of Arab music. Classically trained on the Oud (lute) at the National Academy of Music in Beirut, Khalife refused to be limited by the rigidity of tradition, thus significantly expanding the possibilities of Arab Music. Yet for such an innovative composer, Khalife is amazingly popular. In almost any corner of the Arabic speaking world it is not unusual to find audiences numbering in the thousands singing along with Khalife.
UNESCO Artist for Peace, this composer, singer and musician has released more than 20 albums during his career.
http://www.marcelkhalife.com
November 2-3, 2007, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA
This two-day symposium will illustrate the hybrid expressions of modernity as manifested in the ways of being a woman in struggle in the Mediterranean area, paying special attention to women's cinema as a form of counter-cinema and reinterpretation of women's shifting roles.
Presentation of Maria’s Grotto, a documentary on the practice of honor killings
With Director Buthina Canaan Khoury
Majd Production Co. Taybeh, Ramallah, Palestine Friday, November 2nd: 7:30 - 9:15pm
Collins Cinema - Davis Museum, 106 Central St, Wellesley, MA Film Screening and Discussion with Director
Co-presented with the Boston Palestine Film Festival Maria’s Grotto (2007, 60 min.) In Arabic with English subtitles
Discussion with Director B. Khoury http://www.wellesley.edu/Italian/FLaviosa/VisionsofStruggle/mariasgrotto.html
 Buthina Canaan Khoury (Ramallah 1966) is a Palestinian independent filmmaker who established Majd Production Company in Taybeh, Ramallah in 2000. The company's main objective is to produce documentaries about various crucial Palestinian issues, focusing on women's social and political problems. Khoury received her Bachelor degree in Filmmaking and Photography from the Massachusetts College of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1988. She is the first Palestinian woman to work as cameraperson, producer and coordinator covering special events in the Middle East for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and several well known European TV channels in Palestine. She has also worked as assistant director, documentary researcher and cameraperson in the films The Womand Next Door, A Woman of her Times: a Portrait of Hanan Ashrawi, and Youth of Both Sides. Women in Struggle (2004), co-produced with Lichtpunt in Belgium and Medea Fund, is Khoury’s first documentary as producer, director and cameraperson. Screened worldwide, the documentary was awarded two prizes, one at the Allsmalia Film Festival and one at Amwa in Virigina, USA. Produced in Arabic, it was translated in English, Flemish, French, Greek, Japanese and Italian. The documentary is distributed by Women Make Movies in the United States, and AutLook Filmsales in Austria for Europe. Khoury’s most recent documentary, Maria’s Grotto (2007), co-produced by Swiss Corporation, RTBF, NFB and UNIFEM, raises awareness about the practice of honor killings. Her new project The Revolution About Taybeh Beer (in production) is a documentary about her family business.
http://www.wellesley.edu/Italian/FLaviosa/VisionsofStruggle/
The Boston Palestine Film Festival features a range of compelling and thought-provoking documentaries, dramatic features, rare early works (1969 to 1980), and new films by emerging artists. These films from international directors bring an honest, self-described, and independent view of Palestine and its diasporic society, culture, and political travails.
The nine days of screenings will take place at the Museum of Fine Arts, Kendall Square Cinema, Coolidge Corner Theater, and Harvard University. The festival encompasses over 40 films; Q&A with visiting directors; opening and closing parties with international directors, actors, and academics; and the US premiere of Driving to ZigZigland, with director Nicole Ballivian present.
The opening party is on Sep 29th from 8:30 pm–12 am, following the screening of Leila Khaled: Hijacker. Free admission for press at the School of Museum of Fine Arts. The party features directors, performances by Palestinian oud and violin virtuoso and composer Simon Shaheen, and live music by Aboud Albert Agha (oud and singer) and Anastassia Zachariadou (kanun, flutes), Walid Zairi (Bass and Oud), and April Centrone (Percussionist). Food by Casablanca. The Oct 7th closing reception is from 9:30–11:30 pm at Casablanca in Harvard Square. This reception includes food and some festival directors, actors, and speakers.
http://www.bostonpalestinefilmfest.org/festival2007/schedule.html
 Wednesday, April 11th @ 7 pmPicture Balata :: Photo Exhibit & Talk Co-presented with the Alliance for Justice in the Middle East (AJME), Harvard University Where: Harvard University – Center for Government and International Studies, Knafel Building, 1737 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA What: Four teenage photographers from the Balata refugee camp are touring the US, showing their work and speaking about their lives. Includes a photography exhibit from the Picture Balata workshop. http://www.picturebalata.net· Presentation at Bowie-Vernon Room (N262) · Photo exhibit, musical performance, and reception at Fisher Family Commons, First Floor Entry: FREE - Donations encouraged  Thursday, April 12th @ 7 pmDreaming in Palestine or ‘Bahlam Fi Falastine’ :: Youth Video Screenings and Birthright Re-plugged :: Photo ExhibitWhere: Harvard University – Emerson Hall, 25 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA What:· Screening of short videos and a talk about the process of teaching digital storytelling workshops with youth (aged 10-16) in the Balata, Jenin and Baqaa refugee camps in summer 2006. · Photo exhibit from Birthright Re-plugged, as part of a program to have refugee children visit their pre-1948 homes. http://www.birthrightunplugged.orgEntry: FREE - Donations encouraged Friday, April 13th @ 8 pm 
Axis Of Evil Comedy TourCo-presented with event organizer ICON Entertainment Group Where: Berklee Performance Center, 1140 Boylston Street, Boston, MA What: Four comedians, Maz Jobrani and Aron Kader with special guests Ronnie Khalil and Dean Obeidallah, all of Middle Eastern decent, join together for a ground breaking comedy tour. The AXIS OF EVIL combines comedy, politics and pop culture as we see four hysterical interpretations on today's society that are unlike anything else ever seen on stage. http://www.axisofevilcomedy.comEntry: $33 - Reserved Seating. Purchase tickets for this show online through Ticketmaster Saturday, April 14th @ 11 am
Film Screening of “Waiting” with Talk by Nadia Yaqub and Brunch at Café Algiers Where: Brattle Theater and Café Algiers, 40 Brattle Street Cambridge MA What: FREE Screening of Film "Waiting" (2005), 90 minutes. Directed by Rashid Masharawi. Arabic language film with English subtitles. Filmed in Palestinian refugee camps, Rashid Masharawi's Waiting shows a human map of Palestine that is enduring and powerful. The film is followed by a presentation by Palestine film critic, Nadia Yaqub. Join us also for a Brunch at Algiers Café at 10am and socialize with other supporters of the Boston Palestine Film Festival. Entry: FREE Film Screening – Brunch at Café Algiers for $10. To guarantee a seat, either pick up a free pass at the Brattle theater starting April 6th, or join us for the Brunch at Café Algiers (10:00 AM) before the film.Download PDF Posters of the Program: Poster 1 :: Poster 2Contributions to the film festival can be made out as checks payable to MECCS\Tawassul marked with "Boston Palestine Film Festival" and mailed to: Boston Palestine Film Festival, 955 Massachusetts Ave. #333, Cambridge, MA 02139. Tawassul is a program of the Middle East Cultural and Charitable Society (MECCS), a 501 (c) (3) organization. All donations are tax deductible. http://www.bostonpalestinefilmfest.org
http://www.bostonpalestinefilmfest.org/events/april2007/BPFF-April2007-Program.htm
 Join us for a lively brunch at Café Algiers, next door to the Brattle, before the screening at 10 AM, to meet the festival organizers, Dr. Nadia Yaqub and others who love cinema. Brunch $10. Waiting (Attente) - Directed by Rashid Masharawi Palestine/France, 2005, 90 minutes. Arabic language film with English subtitles Film Synopsis:Before leaving Palestine to settle abroad, director Ahmad accepts one last job. He must audition actors for the new National Palestinian Theatre. On the road with interviewer Bissan and her cameraman, “Lumière”, Ahmad goes in search of talent in the numerous refugee camps of Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Ahmad guides the auditioning actors into dramatizing what best embodies their destiny: waiting. Mashrawi’s film is at times comic, at times tragic; in the camps the crew encounters idiosyncratic performers and characters but also a unifying theme of suspension, homelessness and yearning. Filmed in real camps with a full cast of Palestinian refugees, Rashid Masharawi's Waiting shows a human map of Palestine that is enduring and powerful.
Winner – Grand Prix (Licorne d’Or) – 25th Amiens International Film Festival, 2005
Best Film – Med-Film Festival, Italy, 2005Speaker:Nadia Yaqub (Ph.D., Near Eastern Studies, University of California at Berkeley) is assistant professor of Arabic language and culture at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is the author of several books and articles on literature and film. To guarantee a seat, either pick up a free pass at the Brattle theater starting April 6th, or join us for the Brunch at Café Algiers (10:00 AM) before the film.Download PDF Flyer of Event
http://www.bostonpalestinefilmfest.org/events/april2007/Waiting-Film-Apr14-07.htm
The Boston Palestine Film Festival (BPFF) is now accepting entries for its first annual festival to be held in September-October 2007. Download the Call for Entries (CFE) PDF FromBPFF seeks to present the extraordinary narrative of a dispossessed people living in exile or under Occupation. Palestinian cinema represents a powerful means for visually interpreting the collective identity, historic struggle and emotional expression of Palestinians today. EligibilityBPFF will showcase the diverse and creative work of all filmmakers (any nationality) exploring both historic and contemporary themes related to Palestinian culture, experience, and narrative. The BPFF Selection Committee accepts films, videos and digital media in the following categories: * Feature Films * Documentaries * Shorts (including animated or experimental works) * Youth Work (created by filmmakers under the age of 16) Entries can be of any length. All foreign language entries must be subtitled in English. Entries should be produced between 2000 and 2007. Any works currently in production may be submitted as rough cuts, but if selected, must be provided in final form with English subtitles by August 1st, 2007. Formats accepted for Submission (for selection committee only): * DVD/VHS (PAL or NTSC) * QuickTime movies on CD (for shorts or youth work only) Formats accepted for Exhibition (for presentation at the festival): * Film: 35mm and 16mm * Video: Beta SP (PAL or NTSC) * Digital: DV and Mini DV Deadlines and Entry Fees
Early submission deadline: May 5th, 2007$15 entry fee for each submission Extended submission deadline: June 1st, 2007$25 entry fee for each submission There is no entry fee for International Entries or Youth Work.Filmmakers will be notified of selections via email by July 1st, 2007. This will be followed by letters of acceptance mailed to all filmmakers whose works have been selected for inclusion in the festival. Film selections will be publicly announced on the BPFF website by August 15th, 2007. Instructions for SubmissionEntries submitted for screening must include the following: * Completed entry form with applicable entry fee * Two copies of each entry in DVD/VHS format (PAL or NTSC) or CD (QuickTime movie) * Brief description or synopsis of entry (40-50 words) in English or Arabic * Biography of filmmaker (or other key personnel involved) and any previous screenings, awards or promotional materials on the entry submitted * One or more still photos from your film (300 dpi if submitted electronically) Entries must be postmarked by the submission deadline date. The entry form may be submitted by mail or fax prior to media and other materials being shipped. All other documents (in Microsoft Word, RTF or plain ASCII text format) or photos (in JPEG or TIFF format) may be submitted via email (if overall file size less than 2MB). For larger file sizes submit via CD mailed to the address below or FTP (contact us for instructions). When applicable, payment must be made by check or money order, payable to MECCS\Tawassul marked with “Boston Palestine Film Festival”, sent along with the video tape, CD or DVD to the mailing address below. To avoid damage to any materials shipped, please use bubble wrap mailers or boxes (not envelopes) when mailing submissions. Please label all media with the title and date of the work. All entry fees are nonrefundable. Preview copies of all entries submitted will not be returned; they will be retained by BPFF and added to our library of submissions for future review. Note: The shipping cost is the sole responsibility of the owner/distributor. BPFF is responsible for the return shipping of the exhibited film/video to its owner/distributor. Our staff will take every precaution in handling all films and videos. However, BPFF cannot accept or assume responsibility for damage to, or loss of, materials submitted. BPFF may consider paying for the cost of shipping materials for international or youth entries. Please contact us via email/phone to make your request.
Submit Entries To:BPFF Selection Committee Boston Palestine Film Festival 955 Massachusetts Ave. #333 Cambridge, MA 02139, USA Phone: 617-642-9640 Fax : 617-661-4405 Email: submissions AT bostonpalestinefilmfest.org
http://www.bostonpalestinefilmfest.org/cfe2007/
   WHEREAlgiers Coffee House 40 Brattle Street Cambridge Harvard Square WHENTuesday, March 6th from 8 - 11pm HOW$20 per person includes food* Wine & beer available for purchase separately WHATLive Arabic music with Jamal Sinno & visiting musicians. Great Arabic food, open mic for poetry readings or impromptu performance. Come socialize, support and learn about a great new cultural initiative in Boston. RSVP: info AT bostonpalestinefilmfest.org Sponsored by Tawassul Special thanks to Emile Durzi for donating Algiers for this special night. Download Event Flyer (PDF) *All proceeds go towards the festival and are tax deductible. Contributions to the film festival can be made out as checks payable to MECCS\Tawassul marked with “Boston Palestine Film Festival” and mailed to: Boston Palestine Film Festival 955 Massachusetts Ave. #333 Cambridge, MA 02139, USA Tawassul is a program of the Middle East Cultural and Charitable Society (MECCS), a 501 (c) (3) organization. All donations are tax deductible.
http://www.bostonpalestinefilmfest.org/events/CafeAlgiers-Mar6-2007.html
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