2024 is an exciting year for Leeds Palestinian Film Festival as it is our 10th Anniversary!
To mark the achievement, we are planning an impressive range of special events throughout the year, culminating in our most ambitious Festival to date in November-December.
Our Aims:
To tell the stories of Palestine as widely, accessibly and powerfully as possible
To amplify Palestinian voices by featuring Palestinian film-makers, speakers and artists
How we do this:
By showing thought-provoking and compelling films that shine a light on Palestinian culture, history, people and politics and challenge one-dimensional views of Palestinians
By holding cultural events to showcase Palestinian art, culture and artists
By holding an annual Film Festival as well as one-off events during the year
By working in partnership with other arts and community organisations in Leeds and Palestine
We show films that:
* delve beneath one-dimensional views of Palestinian people and politics
* include documentaries and feature films, rare works and art pieces
*are serious and light-hearted, painful and joyful
* have both popular and specialist appeal
* are made by Palestinians and filmmakers internationally, established and emerging
Since the Festival launched in 2015, about 8,000 people have attended our screenings, with audience numbers rising over the years. By 2019, the main festival was firmly established in Leeds cultural calendar, screening 12 films and including guest speakers. In 2020, necessity bred innovation and we held our first fully on-line festival, reaching beyond local and national borders. In 2023, under the theme of 'Hidden Stories' we had 10 successful screenings with speakers as well as events involving music, food and workshops. We were also delighted to welcome many new people to the Festival.
Many screenings are enhanced with
*guest film-makers and commentators
* stalls selling Palestinian produce
* food and refreshments
* workshops
* information about ways of supporting the Palestinian people
We are planning our most ambitious Festival to date in November-December.
While maintaining our familiar Film Festival identity, the year’s programme will also showcase moving and powerful examples of Palestinian music, dance and art.
Where possible our films are ‘pay as you feel’ and we provide full information on disabled access.
Laurels are provided to films selected for the Festival
