Palestinian films and Canadian activism: can watching help?

Netflix recently distributed a wide selection of Palestinian films; some of these focused on Palestinian refugees outside the Occupied Territories. The complex situation for these refugees usually leaves viewers with as many questions as answers. For Canadians who do watch, will viewing lead to deeper awareness? Is it too hopeful to think these stories on film could ever move viewers on to more active forms of support? This and other questions will form the basis of the first “Dialogue with the Diaspora” webinar organized by the Canadian-Palestinian Education Exchange (CEPAL) and sponsored by PSN.

Prior to the webinar, you are invited to view the representative documentary film Soufra. Its story follows a group of women entrepreneurs at the Burj al Barajneh camp in south Beirut. In the face of huge obstacles, they show unrelenting belief in each other, and their small business begins to take root. But the real test comes next, when they attempt to add on a food truck service which could carry business outside of their camp. (Click here for Soufra trailer.)

Click here to register for the webinar, and to receive a link to our sponsored viewing platform. Watch the film, at a time good for you and then join us for the panel discussion on November 18 (6pm, MST, 8PM Eastern)

Panelists include:

Robert Allison, Communications Director, Hamilton Voices of Palestine Film Screenings
Dania Majid, Programmer and Media Relations, Toronto Palestine Film Festival
Thomas Morgan, Producer-director of Soufra, and other films
Henry Zaccak, Moderator, President, Canadian-Palestinian Education Exchange

View Soufra on-line, some time prior to the webinar.

(viewing time: 70 minutes)

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