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ARAB FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2010 DATES, SEEKS SUBMISSIONS
More than $2,500 in cash prizes offered in new short film contest for young adults
Dearborn, MI (May 25, 2010) – The Arab American National Museum (AANM) will present a wide range of compelling new films not available in the local multiplex Thursday, December 2 through Sunday, December 5, 2010 during its 6th annual Arab Film Festival.
One of the AANM’s most popular annual events, the Arab Film Festival seeks to present to the public films that offer alternative representations of Arab life; increase public exposure of Arab and Arab American filmmakers; and provide a forum for the discussion of questions raised by Festival films.
The AANM’s Arab Film Festival offers feature films, documentaries and shorts made by Arab and non-Arab filmmakers. Among last year’s presentations were several highly regarded films that gained attention on the international festival circuit including the documentary Garbage Dreams (Dir: Mai Iskander/2009/Egypt) and the dramas Dawn of the World (Dir: Abbas Fahdel/2009/Iraq/Germany) and Salt of This Sea (Dir: Annemarie Jacir/2008/Palestine). Audiences also engage directly with filmmakers and academics via panel discussions and receptions.
Call for Festival Submissions
The AANM is currently accepting film submissions of all genres and lengths for consideration for the 6th annual Arab Film Festival. Arab and Arab American filmmakers may submit works on any topic; non-Arab filmmakers must submit films relating to Arab Americans or Arab World topics.
To be considered for inclusion, films must have been released in the last three years (no earlier than 2007). Films that have already been presented at the AANM are not eligible for consideration. Films in languages other than English may be submitted; however, such films must include English subtitles.
Deadline for consideration is 5 p.m. Friday, July 23, 2010. Lineup will be announced Monday, November 1, 2010 at www.arabamericanmuseum.org and via press release.
New! AANM Short Film Contest
In conjunction with its annual Arab Film Festival, the Arab American National Museum is introducing a new short film competition for young adults ages 18-30 featuring cash prizes of $1,500, $750 and $500. The three winning films will be screened as part of the 6th annual Arab Film Festival December 2-5, 2010 at the AANM.
The AANM is encouraging young adults to submit films no more than 30 minutes in length, in any genre, relating to a fusion of two concepts it is calling Trans-Ubuntu. Trans indicates movement across, through and beyond any person, place, thing or idea, while Ubuntu is an African philosophy and concept that loosely means a person is a person through other people. In Ubuntu, individuals are seen through the relationships of larger communities, through their humanity toward others. In a globalized world, what are the images, narratives, ideas, sounds, and feelings of Trans-Ubuntu? The AANM encourages filmmakers to interpret Trans-Ubuntu through the films they submit.
Deadline for consideration is 5 p.m. Friday, October 15, 2010. Winners will be announced Monday, November 1, 2010 at www.arabamericanmuseum.org and via press release.
Complete submission information for both the 6th annual Arab Film Festival and the short film contest for young adults is available at
www.arabamericanmuseum.org/6th.Arab.Film.Festival.submissions or by contacting Suha Ahmed at 313.624.0215 or sahmed@accesscommunity.org. Festival sponsorship information is also available upon request.
The Arab American National Museum documents, preserves, celebrates and educates the public on the history, life, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans. It serves as a resource to enhance knowledge and understanding about Arab Americans and their presence in this country. The Arab American National Museum is a project of ACCESS, a Dearborn, Michigan-based nonprofit human services and cultural organization. Learn more at www.arabamericanmuseum.org and www.accesscommunity.org.
The Arab American National Museum is a proud Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Read about the Affiliations program at http://affiliations.si.edu.
The Museum is located at 13624 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI, 48126. Museum hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday, Tuesday; Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Admission is $6 for adults; $3 for students, seniors and children 6-12; ages 5 and under, free. Call 313.582.2266 for further information.
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