2015 Opening Press Release

Washington, DC | Monday, August 10, 2015

Contact Nusayba Hammad, nusayba.n.hammad@gmail.com

The DC Palestinian Film and Arts Festival (DCPFAF) is pleased to announce its fifth annual festival, which will run from October 1 to October 4, 2015. This year’s program includes an opening reception, several feature-length and short films, in addition to panels with filmmakers, photographers and novelists.

The four day festival will kick off with the Washington, DC premiere of Amer Shomali and Paul Cowan’s critically acclaimed film, The Wanted 18, at E Street Cinema (555 11th St, NW WDC 20004) on Thursday, October 1 at 7 PM. A reception and Q&A with co-director Amer Shomali will follow the screening. The Wanted 18 tells the story of a Palestinian village’s defiance, ingenuity and resilience during the 1987 intifada. Shomali and Cowan bring the one-of-a-kind story to life through a unique combination of stop-motion animation, interviews, drawings and archival material. Most recently, the film won Best Documentary Film Award at Michael Moore’s Traverse City Film Festival in early August.

For the fifth year, the DCPFAF is showcasing the work of Palestinian artists in an effort to highlight Palestinian subjectivity through cinema, music, and other forms of art. Eman Mohammed, a photojournalist from Gaza, will be speaking at the Goethe Institute (812 7th St, NW WDC 20001) on Saturday, October 3 at 12:15 PM. In 2015, literature is being added to the line up with a talk by novelist Ibtisam Azem, author of Sariq al Nawm, among other works, on Sunday, October 4 at 1 PM at the Goethe Institute. She will be inaugurating the Arabic program for the DCPFAF as she will do a reading from her novel in Arabic (translation will be provided).

Rani Massalha’s feature film, Giraffada, will be screened on Friday, October 2 at 8:30 PM at the Goethe Institute. Short films will be shown on Saturday and Sunday morning at 11 AM, also at the Goethe Institute. Among this year’s shorts are Suha Araj’s Pioneer High and Baha’ Abu Shanab’s The Living of the Pigeons. On the last day of the festival, Suha Arraf’s Villa Touma, a film about three unmarried aristocratic Christian sisters from Ramallah, will play at the Goethe Institute at 3 PM. At 4:45 PM at Goethe, festival goers will watch Mars at Sunrise, Jessie Habie’s quasi-experimental take psychological state of the occupier and the occupied. Based on the prison experiences of Palestinian artist Hani Zurob, the film will close the fifth year of the DCPFAF and will be followed by a reception at 7 PM.

The complete program, featuring nearly 14 feature and short-length films along with several panels, will be announced in the coming days. Please visit www.dcpfaf.org for more informaton. To review the films, request a press pass, and/or request an interview with one of the artists, please contact palestinefilmdc@gmail.com.

The DCPFAF showcases the work of Palestinian artists in Palestine and in diaspora. The stories shared in this festival are not necessarily about the Palestinian experience in relation to the Israeli occupation and apartheid, nor are the stories necessarily about Palestinians. They are stories told by Palestinians that reflect the dynamic formation of a transnational identity common to Palestinians and diasporic communities in general. The festival also aims to bring DC’s various communities together through art, and catalyze invigorating and productive discussions about film and culture, utilizing the lens of Palestinians filmmakers as an entry point.

2014 Closing Press Release

Washington D.C., October 22, 2014

The DC Palestinian Film and Arts Festival (DCPFAF) is ecstatic to share that its Fourth Annual Festival has been its most successful to date. The Festival sold out all but two of its shows and the number of attendees who we had to turn away made clear to us that we are now in need an even larger venue next year. In addition to making breakthroughs in our outreach efforts within the District, the Festival took a huge leap forward this year by featuring a broad and unprecedented array of art forms. This included our traditional offering of feature films and shorts as well as musicians, photographers, folklorists, writers, and digital artists.

This year’s festival was dedicated to the resilient Palestinian people of the Gaza Strip. The program featured films showcasing life in Gaza including  “Where Do the Birds Fly?” by Fida Qishta, “Gaza 36 mm” by Khalil Al Mozayen, and “Condom Lead” by Tarzan and Arab Nasser. It also highlighted the work of Palestinian writers and artists from the Gaza Strip like Laila El Haddad, author of Gaza Kitchen and Huda Asfour, musician and composer, who debuted her latest work, Mosaic.

The opening reception, attended by nearly 120 guests, featured an exhibit of Visualizing Palestine infographics at FICA DC with a reception that included dance and live music. This year’s most prominent films included Hany Abu Assad’s Oscar nominated film, “Omar,” as well as Cherien Dabis’s critically-acclaimed “May in the Summer,” which made its DC-debut at the Festival and will be released in theaters soon. The panel, “Between Two Lovers: Palestinian Art Between Old & New” featured Laila Jadallah, photographer, and Tamara Essayad, co-founder of Ibra w-Khayt, an embroidery start-up led by Palestinian women on the ground. The panel explored cross-stitching or tatreez, a Palestinian folkloric practice, and its contemporary expression today in photography and clothing.

The closing reception was a high-energy celebration that featured nationally acclaimed jazz vocalist, Lena Seikaly. Among the Festival’s most exciting highlights were the events that took place in the lead up to the 4-day affair. This included a sold out Open Mic dedicated to Freedom at Busboys and Poets that featured music, rap, poetry, the Foty Fusion – a live band including flute, piano, bass, and oud. In an exciting twist, Angela Davis, globally esteemed scholar, activist, and former political prisoner, attended the event to show her support for the cause and the Festival. The DCPFAF made its mark in the DC culture scene appearing in the Washington Post, on WAMU radio, on DC public television, and across several community calendars.

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.

Visit dcpfaf.org for a listing of the full 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011 programs. To donate to, volunteer for, sponsor, &/or collaborate with the Festival, please contact us.

Co-Sponsors: Institute for Policy Studies, WHUT-TV, Institute for Palestine Studies, Split this Rock, Arab Studies Institute, Jadaliyya, FICA DC, Busboys and Poets, the Arab-American Institute, Arab America, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Parallel Film Collective, SC Advisors-Nabil Mufti, Abbas and Samar D. Zuaiter, and anonymous donor on behalf of children in Gaza

2014 Press Release

Washington D.C., September 8, 2014

The DC Palestinian Film and Arts Festival (DCPFAF) is pleased to announce its fourth annual festival, which will run between October 2nd and 5th, 2014. This year’s festival is dedicated to the resilient Palestinian people of the Gaza Strip. As Such, the program features films showcasing life in Gaza including  “Where Do the Birds Fly?” by Fida Qishta, “Gaza 36 mm” by Khalil Al Mozayen, and “Condom Lead” by Tarzan and Arab Nasser. It will also highlight the work of Palestinian writers and artists from the Gaza Strip like Laila El Haddad, author of Gaza Kitchen and Huda Asfour, musician and composer, who will be debuting her latest work, Mosaic.

This year’s Festival takes huge leap forward by featuring a broad and unprecedented array of art forms. This includes our traditional offering of feature films and shorts as well as musicians, photographers, folklorists, writers, and digital artists.

The opening reception will feature an exhibit of Visualizing Palestine infographics at FICA DC with a reception. Visualizing Palestine’s infographics have been able to capture conditions appropriate for several books in a single and striking image. This year’s most prominent films include Hany Abu Assad’s Oscar nominated film, “Omar,” as well as Cherien Dabis’s critically-acclaimed “May in the Summer.” The panel, “Between Two Lovers: Palestinian Art Between Old & New” will feature Laila Jadallah, photographer, and Tamara Essayad, co-founder of Ibra w-Khayt, an embroidery start-up led by Palestinian women on the ground.

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.

Visit dcpfaf.org for a listing of the full program and updates. To review the films, request a press pass, &/or request an interview with one of the artists, please contact us.

Co-Sponsors: Institute for Policy Studies, WHUT-TV, Institute for Palestine Studies, Split this Rock, Arab Studies Institute, FICA DC, Busboys and Poets, the Arab-American Institute, Parallel Film Collective, SC Advisors, Abbas and Samar D. Zuaiter, and anonymous donor on behalf of children in Gaza

2013 Press Release

Washington D.C., – September 9, 2014

The DC Palestinian Film and Arts Festival (DCPFAF) is pleased to announce its third annual festival, which is taking place from September 28-October 5, 2013. 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.

2012 Press Release

The DC Palestinian Film and Arts Festival (DCPFAF) is delighted to launch its second annual festival from September 24-30, 2012. Following the success of our inaugural festival in 2011, this year’s event will include feature-length films and shorts featuring a broad array of genres ranging from dramas to documentaries and comedies. The festival will also include panel discussions with filmmakers and visual and still performances including music, poetry, and a photo exhibit.

The DCPFAF seeks to showcase the work of Palestinian filmmakers and more generally, to promote the richness of Palestinian Arab culture through cinema, music, and other forms of visual arts. The stories that will be told in this festival are not necessarily about the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, nor are they necessarily stories about Palestinians, but they are stories 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.

Amongst a host of talent that will be featured, this year’s highlights include the DC premier of Yahya Alabdallah’s “The Last Friday,” Sameh Zoabi’s “Man Without a Cellphone,” and Yousef Erakat of FouseyTube. Zoabi and Erakat will also be participating as special guests along with musician Huda Asfour and filmmakers Tanya Keilani and Khaled Mourra. The full program for this year’s festival can be found on our website.

The DC Palestinian Film and Arts Festival is a volunteer-run project organized by a group of individuals in Washington, DC and is a tribute to the tremendous work produced by Palestinian artists living under occupation and/or throughout a global diaspora.

Co-sponsors
The Jerusalem Fund
Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Georgetown University
Middle East Studies Program, George Mason University

2011 Press Release

The US Palestinian Community Network (USPCN) of DC (USPCN-DC) is delighted to launch its full-fledged DC Palestinian Film and Arts Festival (DC-PFAF) from September 26-30, 2011. This follows the heel of its Festival Teasers series held in late May.  This inaugural event will include feature-length films and shorts featuring a broad array of genres ranging from dramas to documentaries and comedies. The festival will also include panel discussions with filmmakers and cultural events such as music, poetry, art displays and dance.

The DC-PFAF seeks to showcase the work of Palestinian filmmakers and more generally, to promote the richness of Palestinian Arab culture through cinema, music, and other forms of visual arts. The stories that will be told in this festival are not necessarily about the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, nor are they necessarily stories about Palestinians, but they are stories 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.

These films and artists include: Elia Suleiman’s “The Time that Remains,” Mahdi Fleifel’s “Shadi and the Well,” May Odeh’s “Diaries from Gaza,” and Yousef Erakat of FouseyTube.

This inaugural festival, organized by the DC-PFAF Committee, will pave the way for a yearly sustainable cultural event for USPCN-DC which will draw attention from the DC community, specifically Palestinians. The festival schedule will be announced in the coming week with details on how to support this important initiative.

The US Palestinian Community Network includes members of the Palestinian community in the US who work together to empower their community, unify their voice, and affirm the right of Palestinians in the Shatat (exile) to participate fully in shaping their joint destiny. The DC Palestinian Film and Arts Festival Committee is a committee of USPCN-DC.