The Arab Film Festival aims to showcase stories from diverse Arabic-speaking cultures to broad Australian audiences that reflect the complexity and diversity of Arab communities and experiences. We aim to address the (mis)representations of Arab culture through film by providing critical spaces to present alternative representations of Arab cultures, subjects and narratives.

As a community-managed cultural event, the Arab Film Festival supports freedom of thought, expression and information, as well as diversity of screen media to enable cultural expressions to flourish. We especially promote diversity of cultural expressions that allow individuals to share their ideas, values, and experiences of the world.

Managed by Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE) and driven by an organising committee. ICE continues to support and build the festival to ensure that it becomes an independent and sustainable creative enterprise.

HISTORY

Sydney Arab Film Festival was first held in April 2001 over three days at The Roxy Parramatta as an associated event of Casula Powerhouse’s ‘East of Somewhere’ exhibition. This first Festival was managed by Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE), and was a partnership with Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Fairfield Community Resource Centre, Powerhouse Museum (Wattan project) and was supported by New South Wales Film and Television Office, Parramatta City Council and Village Cinema.

In 2004, Information & Cultural Exchange hosted another Sydney Arab Film Festival event: A Big Night of Arab Shorts. It was held at Hoyts (Merrylands) in conjunction with Holroyd City Fest and showcased short films by Arab filmmakers from around the world.

In 2005, 48 local and internationally produced films were screened across Campbelltown, Parramatta and Bankstown. Some of the highlights included Egyptian Classics from 1947-71, the Australian premiere of Youssef Chahine’s ‘Alexandria New York’, epic drama ‘The Door to the Sun’ which spans 50 years from Palestine in 1948, along with a range of student films from ALBA Fine Arts Academy, Lebanon.

In 2007-2009 the festival reached a new level with a home at the Riverside Theatres and outstanding programs that drew popular and critical attention across Sydney. Parramatta City Council through supported the festival financially and helped it secure its home in Parramatta.

The 2010 Arab Film Festival will run from 1-31 July and in a number of locations across the country. The Festival will officially open on Thursday 1 July, 8pm at Riverside Theatres Parramatta. For more information and list of sessions and venues please go to http://arabfilmfestival.com.au/calendar

SHUKRAN & THANKS

The 2010 Arab Film Festival is made possible with the support and commitment of many individuals, the ICE staff, organising committee members, our partners, funding bodies and sponsors. Special thanks to Mohannad Ghawanmeh – Mizna Film Festival, David McGrouther and Quentin Turnour – National Film and Sound Archive, the ICE Board and Staff, our family, friends and festival volunteers.

GET INVOLVED AND VOLUNTEER during the festival. Send us a message with your information (name, telephone number and email address) and general availability during the festival and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND DONATIONS are tax deductable as we are supported by the not-for-profit charitable organisation (ICE). Contact us to make a donation of any kind or if you would like to be a sponsor.