2nd annual Toronto Palestine Film Festival (26 Sept - 2 Oct)

Dear CAIA Supporters,

We encourage everyone to attend the 2nd annual Toronto Palestine Film Festival (TPFF) taking place across the GTA September 26 - October 2. All details below.

In Solidarity,
Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid

*Please Post Widely*

Toronto Palestine Film Festival
Non-Stereotypical Cinema from Palestine
September 26-October 2, 2009
www.tpff.ca

Join us at the Toronto Palestine Film Festival!

The 2nd annual Toronto Palestine Film Festival (TPFF) is pleased to present a wide selection of award-winning short, feature, documentary, experimental and animation films to Toronto audiences.

From September 26 to October 2, TPFF will showcase 34 films, including Canadian and North American premieres, and will host a contemporary art exhibit, a film & food brunch and several forums. Check out our programme to learn more about TPFF (www.tpff.ca).

TPFF opens the festival with the internationally acclaimed film Amreeka, on Saturday September 26, 2009, 6:30 at the Bloor Cinema (560 Bloor St. W & Bathurst).

Amreeka is a comedy-drama about Muna, a single mother who leaves Ramallah with her teenage son, Fadi, to provide him with a better future in small-town Illinois. As Fadi learns to navigate high school hallways, Muna, a former bank employee, scrambles together a new life cooking up hamburgers at the local White Castle. (trailer)

Award-winning independent filmmaker and television writer Cherien Dabis has been named one of Variety’s “Ten Directors to Watch” in 2009. Amreeka is her feature writing and directorial debut, which won the Director’s Fortnight, FIPRESCI Prize (Critic’s Prize) Cannes Film Festival 2009.

TPFF closes on October 2 at the Bloor Cinema, with two excellent films that can’t be missed.

Laila’s Birthday, directed by celebrated Palestinian filmmaker Rashid Masharawi, tells the story of Abu Laila, a judge turned taxi driver, who must purchase a cake for his daughter’s birthday. This becomes an epic task as Abu Laila navigates the chaos of daily life in Ramallah. The film is a revealing and humorous portrait of a city and a decent man at their breaking point.

Checkpoint Rock shines a spotlight on music in Palestine. Beginning with renowned musician Marcel Khalife at Mahmoud Darwish’s funeral, the film traverses Palestine/Israel and presents a diverse range of musical performances along the way. Rappers, a wedding singer and classical musicians express their personal struggles through their music.

Advance tickets, TPFF 10 Pass or Memberships can be purchased online or at the Toronto Women’s Bookstore (73 Harbord St.). Buy early and avoid disappointment at the door!

We look forward to seeing you at the Toronto Palestine Film Festival.