Dear friends,

The fifth annual Witness Palestine Film Festival starts in one month, on September 15, 2016. This may be our most interesting one yet. But you need to be the judge. Please consider attending the seven different programs, each presented once between September 15 and October 21. Two programs are free.

As before, we offer a discussion immediately following each screening.

This year's Festival theme is "when I see them, I see us." This short from Black Solidarity will be shown ahead of some of the features – rotating with other shorts.

(If your e-mail program doesn't display the video, you can watch it here.

The Festival web site gives full information with trailers, descriptions, images, and bios of panelists. Please visit WitnessPalestineRochester.org.

Keynote Presentation: Justice and Freedom: the Keys to Peace in Palestine

Author Miko Peled in person
Thursday, September 15, 2016, 7:00 p.m.
315 Gregory Street, Rochester
There is no charge for this event.

Author of The General's Son, Miko described his 2012 book as an account of how he, "the son of an Israeli General and a staunch Zionist", came to realize that "the story upon which I was raised ... was a lie."

3000 Nights

Sunday, September 18, 2:00 p.m.
The Little Theatre, #5
240 East Avenue, Rochester
Admission $10 ($5 students)

A Palestinian woman's random good deed leads to her arrest and imprisonment, a feature that illustrates the plight of political prisoners in Israel through one character's experience.

An actress from the film will be with us in person to lead the discussion immediately following.

The Idol

Monday, September 19, 6:45 p.m.
The Little Theatre, #5
240 East Avenue, Rochester
Admission $10 ($5 students)

This film documents the story of Mohammed Assaf growing up in Gaza with a talent for music. I believe you'll find interesting his struggles with life in Gaza as he attempts to explore his musical gifts.

Two Blue Lines

Sunday, September 25, 2:00 p.m.
The Little Theatre, #5
240 East Avenue, Rochester
Admission $10 ($5 students)

I recommend this film especially for those who seek information about the Middle East conflict. It reminds me of a study tour to the region; you'll get many insights and be able to draw your own conclusions.

Pinkwashing Exposed: Seattle Fights Back!

Monday, September 26, 6:45 p.m.
The Little Theatre, #5
240 East Avenue, Rochester
Admission $10 ($5 students)

"Pinkwashing" is the practice of presenting something, particularly a state, as gay-friendly in order to soften or downplay aspects of its reputation considered negative.

This film shows the efforts of activists to oppose programs in Israel's Hasbara (propaganda) campaign in Seattle.

A Program of 'Shorts'

Israel's Wall: Security Or Apartheid?
When I See Them, I See Us
Batman at the Checkpoint
Jerusalem in Exile
My Neighbourhood

Monday, October 10, 6:30 p.m.
St. John Fisher College, Basil 135
3690 East Ave, Rochester
There is no charge for this event

Emma Alpert of Just Vision, the producers of My Neighbourhood, will lead the discussion.

Closing Event: Celebrate Palestine

"Resistance through celebration"
Friday, October 21, 6:00 p.m.
Asbury First United Methodist Church
1050 East Ave, Rochester
Admission $20 ($10 students)

This is an evening of Palestinian food, music, and culture opening with a performance by The Building Company Theater. Special guest is Remi Kanazi, spoken word poet/activist.

Would you be willing to please post this flier in your organization or elsewhere? At that same web-site location, there's a draft article in case you have access to a newsletter. Many thanks.