Shorts Collection: Resisting Borders

Jalas, Strange Cities Are Familiar & Rosa - A collection of fiction and documentary films that delves into the lives of teenage girls, a political prisoner and a subversive undertaker. Each story explores the physical and emotional toll of borders, and the different ways each character resists their effects.

Shorts Collection: Youth on a Mission

We Take Back Mountains, The Wall, Tour De Gaza & Maradona’s Legs -  A collection of fictional and true stories of young people striving to meet their monumentous goals. From Beirut streets to a Lebanese refugee camp; from a Gaza gym to a Nazareth neighbourhood, these undeterrable youth will stop at nothing on their great quests.

Samar Hejazi, An Unravelling: An Art Exhibition 

TPFF presents two large-scale hanging fabric installations by artist Samar Hejazi. In her exhibition An Unravelling she looks at how traditional Palestinian embroidery can be a host to thinking about craft’s ability to transform into a symbol of identity.

All Festival Days

TPFF Reads with Zaina Arafat: You Exist Too Much

TPFF 2020 starts with an author talk and book launch with the critically-acclaimed Palestinian writer, Zaina Arafat. She is the author of 'You Exist Too Much' - a captivating coming of age story that has topped many must-read lists.

TPFF Presents: Studio Visit with Designer Rami Kashou

Toronto Palestine Film Festival visits Palestinian fashion designer Rami Kashou in his New York studio - a rare glimpse into the world of high fashion. We will chat with Rami about his designs, and the stories they tell with his use of Palestinian textile, embroidery and shapes. From gowns to masks, Rami’s creations reinterpret Palestine’s traditional designs for a modern time.

TPFF Panel: Cultural Suppression & Revival

TPFF is hosting a discussion panel exploring the silencing of Palestinians voices in the cultural sector and spotlighting artists who are reviving Palestinian culture in their work.

TPFF Presents: Mirna Bamieh from Palestine Hosting Society

Join us for a live chat with Palestinian artist and cook Mirna Bamieh, founder of Palestine Hosting Society, a live art project that explores traditional food culture in Palestine especially those that are on the verge of disappearing.

Live Streams

Between Heaven and Earth

Inspired by historical events, Najwa Najjar’s third film is a modern-day road-trip drama. When Salma and Tamer decided to divorce, Tamer is given a three day permit to cross the Israeli checkpoint to attend court in Nazareth. However, things do not go as planned when the clerk reveals a secret about Tamer's father's past.

Wednesday September 23 - Opening Night

An Unusual Summer 

Following vandalism, Kamal Aljafari's father install a surveillance camera to record the scenes unfolding in front of the house. This experimental film captures fleeting moments of poetry; whereas in the background, the daily choreography of the Ramla, comes to the surface.  Aljafari creates a mechanical diary of a life that scrolls past the window.

letter to a friend & In Vitro

letter to a friend: The artist asks a friend to start an investigation and recounts in minute detail various aspects of her home and street in Bethlehem. 
In Vitro: Set in the aftermath of an eco-disaster, an abandoned nuclear reactor under Bethlehem has been converted into an enormous orchard.

TPFF Presents: A Dance Performance in Memory of Palestinian Dancer Ayman Safieh 

We have the privilege of hosting Palestinian dance performers, Samaa Wakeem and Mohammed Samahneh, for a dance piece tribute to the late Ayman Safieh - inspired by happy, humorous and special moments the Palestinian dancers shared together. Curated and choreographed by Samaa and Mohammed. 

Thursday September 24

Local Pals Residency Films

The Toronto Palestine Film Festival (TPFF) is proud to present four works by emerging Toronto-based Palestinian filmmakers Leila Almawy, Kalil Haddad, Rana Nazzal and Serene Husni. Produced by the 2020 Local Pals Residency of Toronto Palestine Film Festival, in partnership with Trinity Square Video -- Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT). After many workshops and long conversations we are extremely excited to share their work with you!

The Journey of the Others w/ Brewed in Palestine 

The Journey of the Others: A group of young actors from the Jenin Freedom Theatre are determined fulfill a dream - to premiere their play in NYC despite being previously banned. The doc follows their life-changing journey and explores cultural resistance. 

Playing with Brewed in Palestine, a short film about Palestine’s Taybeh brewery. 

TPFF Presents: Zenobia Electronic Group Online Concert

A special online concert brought to you the up-and-coming duo, Zenobia. Share this musical experience with your friends and dance your night away to the best electro beats. Zenobia incorporates rhythms and groovy electronic productions along with popular Syrian and Palestinian Dabke (traditional dance) and in addition to Egyptian beats and atmosphere.

Friday September 25

Mayor w/ Return of Osiris

Mayor: Municipal politics are challenging – especially for a
city under occupation. Musa Hadid, the mayor of Ramallah, is on a mission to improve the lives of his citizens in the face of overwhelming odds. 
Playing with Return of Osiris: Gamal Abdel-Nasser's historic
speech is reconstructed by weaving together clips from vintage Egyptian films.

Hurdle w/ Did You See Me This Time with Your Own Eyes?

Hurdle: Sami and Mohammad teach parkour and photography to youth in their communities as a means to overcome the personal and political obstacles that often feel inescapable. 
Playing with Did you see me with your own eyes?: The artist
commissioned Palestinian engineers to set up a DIY phone network to decode secret Bedouin dialects.

TPFF Presents: “Rafeef Ziadah - Three Generations - featuring Phil Monsour” Online Performance

Powerhouse spoken word artist and performer Rafeef Ziadah is joined by musician Phil Monsour in an online performance. They will present a selection of poems, with original music compositions, from their new album Three Generations.

Saturday September 26

TPFF Presents: 2nd Annual Young Pals

TPFF presents its second annual program for its young fans - an exclusive youth writing workshop with Ibtisam Barakat

Abbas 36 w/ The Silent Protest: Jerusalem 1929

Abbas 36: Documentary about two Palestinian families who
lived in the same home on 36 Abbas Street in Haifa. One family was forced out during the Nakba and the other family launches a search for them. 
Playing with The Silent Protest: Jerusalem 1929, a short
about a historic women’s protest against the British. 

It Must Be Heaven

ES escapes from Palestine seeking an alternative homeland,
only to find that Palestine is trailing behind him. The promise of a new life turns into a comedy of errors: from Paris to New York, something always reminds him of home. From award-winning director Elia Suleiman, a comic saga exploring exile, nationalism and identity.

TPFF Closing Night: Jam Session with Hala Ayyad and Murshed Khalid

Help us celebrate our closing night and join us for a jam session with Toronto-based singers Hala Ayyad and Murshed Khalid featuring your favourite Arabic songs.

Sunday September 27 - Closing Night

TPFF 2020 Online Festival Trailer

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