The Way Forward
Based on the knowledge and experience accumulated throughout the years, the 4th edition of PFM will focus on a future vision for the film industry in Palestine.
The planned activities aim to layout a coherent ground in which participants can imagine and discuss an inclusive vision for the future of filmmaking in Palestine. The 2021 panels aim to reflect the lessons learned from international and local filmmakers and prepare for the future of film industry in Palestine by engaging the stakeholders in a discussion of central questions that shape the industry. Questions that no longer can be ignored or overlooked especially that it has become evident that creating a sustainable industry requires more than the commitment of a single group, but necessitates instead joining efforts and sharing responsibilities.
PFM 2021 will shed the light on the composites that influence the film production wheel. It will also explore the policies and work mechanisms needed to push this industry forward in Palestine and consolidate the work of the various stakeholders. This should be a shared responsibility between ministries, national organizations, educational institutions, training centers, cultural organizations, film working group, telecommunication companies and internet service providers.
PFM seeks to contribute to the development of this future vision through panels that bring together stakeholders that have an influence on the film production process. The panels will discuss 5 themes:
1.Narrative Makers
Writers, directors, actors, technical support, producers, production companies
Despite the innovation of film makers in optimizing the use of already scarce resources, productions that support the narrative of the ‘other’ about the land and people are increasing, which consequently increases the burden of resistance and response to an extent that the simple dream of being present in historical Palestine has become a victory in itself. How can the Palestinian capacities find a place for them and handle pressures and temptations? How can filmmaking be sustained and developed in a professional way within what is available and possible? Is staying in Palestine and working in filmmaking an option? Or are filmmakers obliged either to leave the country or abandon filmmaking all together?
Venue: A.M. Qattan Foundation
City: Ramallah, Al-tireh
Date & time: Thursday 4/11, 12:00
Participants: Saed Andoni, Ruba Bilal Asfour, Enas L. Al-Muthaffar, Waseem Khair.
Moderator: Suha Arraf
2. Industry Promoters
Distributors and screening locations
COVID-19 Pandemic added more complications to the problem of attracting audiences into screening halls, and re-shaped communication between filmmakers and viewers to become more instantaneous compared to traditional means. This opened the door wide open and gave power to international production and promotion platforms like Netflix and Amazon etc… while local distributors and small project owners continue to struggle with problems of piracy and lack of support and protection schemes. So, how are distributors and screening halls in the world coexisting with these platforms? And what are the roles and responsibilities of each of them?
Venue: A.M. Qattan Foundation
City: Ramallah, Al-tireh
Date & time: Saturday 6/11, 11:00
Participants: Tareq Abbu-Lughod, Kais Zaied, Samer Makhlouf
Moderator: Mohanad Salahat
3. Capacity Builders
Educational institutions and training centers
Educational and training centers create the space needed for acquiring and developing the skills and capacities needed for the film industry. What are the challenges they face and what are the plans to address future changes? What are the existent programs and what are the paths available for the qualified graduates? How can Palestine become the primary incubator for filmmaking and what is required of graduates to start a serious career and make a breakthrough on local and international levels?
Venue: A.M. Qattan Foundation
City: Ramallah, Al-tireh
Date & time: Sunday 7/11, 11:00
Participants: Dr. Nader Salha, Marina Barham, Imad al-Asfar, Thaer al-Azzah
Moderator: Suruq Harb
4. Main Players
organizations, initiatives, private sector
In the last few years, the main players took difficult little steps to empower themselves. It has become necessary to develop a wide-ranging understanding to provide support and protection for the film industry. The role of the main players is not limited to the provision of local and international networking opportunities, but stakeholders should join efforts, coordinate and advocate for the needed legislations. Furthermore, the time has come to embrace film funds and regulate them.
The Palestinian narrative has been a target for attacks of obliteration and exclusion. Attacks that would have been successful, had it not been for the sacrifices and tremendous efforts in documenting and promoting the Palestinian narrative through all possible means. The national government, ministries and municipalities built through solid strategic policies some mechanisms to maintain the Palestinian narrative and support those who create it. They are also responsible for providing support to the audio-visual sector as an integrated economic – industrial sector. The support of film production in quantity and quality paves the way to addressing the repetitive obliteration and exclusion attacks.
Venue: A.M. Qattan Foundation
City: Ramallah, Al-tireh
Date & time: Sunday 7/11, 15:00
Participants: Mohannad Al Bakri / The Royal Film Commission of Jordan, Deema Azar / film producer and script consultant, Jordan, Raed Andoni / Palestine Film Institute , Hanna Atallah / Filmlab Palestine
Moderator: Dima Abu Ghoush