The Institute for Policy Studies proudly joins this year’s fourth annual DC Palestinian Film and Arts Festival, which begins October 2 and runs through October 5, 2014! The four day festival will feature several short and feature-length films, discussions with filmmakers and artists, art exhibits, and several receptions. Programming will begin with an exhibit and reception on Thursday evening, include films on Friday evening, and run throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday. The Festival is set to include Khalil Al Moyazen’s powerful Gaza 36mm, the highly acclaimed May in the Summer by Cherien Dabis, and Hany Abu Assad’s Oscar-nominated Omar, among other brand new feature-length and short Palestinian films. This year the festival will exhibit the work of Visualising Palestine whose striking infographics capture a visual story of Palestine.

The DC Palestinian Film and Arts Festival (DC-PFAF) is a not for profit, volunteer run annual project. It is in its third year and aims to showcase the work of Palestinian filmmakers and artists for audiences in Washington, DC and its surrounding areas. It is a unique festival in that the stories told through this project are not necessarily about the Palestinian/Israel 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 more generally. In Washington, DC, a city filled with communities from around the world, and a city where political decisions are made, we have seen that there is indeed an interested audience for such a project.

This year’s festival is dedicated to the resilient population of the Gaza Strip. As Such, the festival will show films from Gazan filmmakers, feature talks from Gazan journalists, and highlight the work of Gazan writers. Please keep your eyes open for these program updates.