Palestine is Guest of Honor at the First Ever Arab Cinema Festival in Bari, Italy

"Frederico II Eventi" is soon to host the first ever "Arab Cinema Festival" in Bari, Italy, from December 5 to 7. "Eye of the Arab Spring" is its theme.

Twenty-five Arab directors will be participating in the festival, which focuses on short Arab films from all over the Middle East: Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Algeria, Tunisia, Lebanon and Palestine, which is this year's guest of honor.

The president of "Frederic II Eventi," Dr. Michele Lioacono, the organizer behind the festival, is hoping that these events will introduce Arab cinema, which has gained more and more attention recently, to Italian and European audiences.

He also said that it's important to build bridges of communication with the Arab world through these types of short films. More generally, it is important that Europeans have an understanding of Arab creativity in the realm of cinema.

The general director of the festival, Jordanian Ehad Ababneh, clarified their choice of the theme "Eye of the Arab Spring," saying that "in light of what Arab nations have witnessed, and what is going on in Palestine -- in light of all this, we decided to take on the theme of 'the Arab revolts' or the so-called 'Arab Spring' in a neutral fashion through the eyes of these directors, who have observed resistance, revolution and freedom."

We are delighted to announce that the festival's administration has chosen to include Palestine as its guest of honor, which at this time has special significance after the United Nations voted overwhelmingly to upgrade Palestine's status in the General Assembly.

The festival's official poster features the famous 2001 painting by Palestinian Dr. Abdel Rahman Al Mazin from Enat wel Intifada, which draws specific attention to the nine Palestinian films that will be screened on the opening night of the festival.

Ababneh also added, "the festival specializes on short films, providing a variety of genres, from documentary to feature to video art, all coming from Arab filmmakers whose work reflects their vision of what is going on around them and the Arab reality."

Egypt is represented in six of the twenty-five directors. Some of the films are: "Agenda Masreya" by Neven Shalaby; "Fakhour Binny Araby" by Safwan Nasser; "11" by Yasseen Gabriel; "Sout el Salaam" by Dr. Medhat; and "Taht el Ghatta el Monfasl" by Moataz El Softi. Egyptian actress Reem Hassan also plays in the Egyptian film "Kharta el Thoura el Araby."

Palestine is well represented by a number of directors, such as Khalil el Mazin who'll be showing his film "Fashal el Mashhad;" Rita Ishaq with "Gasad;" Nagah Aoud Allah with "Hamel El Gamra;" and the directing duo of brothers Mohamed and Ahmed Abu Nasser, also known as "Arab and Tarzan" with their film "Rehla bel Alwan." Also of note is Palestinian artist Bashar El Horoub with "El Azaab," and the film "Al Akhar Howa Ana." Mohamed Harb is also showing his film "Hodour = Ghayeb," and Palestinian sculptor Eyad Sabah is presenting "Katem Sout." The artist Reem El Mazeen is showing her film "Kano Hena..??"

Jordanian directors Rael al-Tamimi and Amer Gharaybeh are responsible for the selection of six short Jordanian films: "And el Mogheeb" by Jamal Jibril; "Salem" by Rakan El Damen; "Hamido International" written and directed by Ahmed Ali Gizawy and finally "Mr. President" by Mahmoud Alaidh.

Let's not forget about Algeria! The North African country is being represented in two films directed by Ahmed Hamel, "El Laaba" and "El Qarar." Mohammed bin Salamah of Tunisia will be showing his film "14 January 2011." The sole Iraqi project featured at the festival is "Bedaya Kol el Loghat." Last but not least, Lebanese director Rowan Alaa el Din will show her film "Min Qatal Waqt."

It's nothing short of a spectacular and diverse festival!