Annual Palestine Film Festival Is On After Being Postponed

CHICAGO, IL — The Chicago Palestine Film Festival is running again after the COVID-19 virus put its initial dates on hold, according to a news release from the Palestine Film Festival. The pandemic simply made the 19th annual event switch to virtual and drive-in viewing options.

From Sept. 25-Oct. 16, the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St., Chicago, partnered with the Chicago Palestine Film Festival to present the postponed and newly formatted 19th-annual festival. The festival is representing the spirit and mood of contemporary Palestinian life, according to the release.

The festival said there will be three drive-in screenings of movies played on selected dates at Chi-Town Movies in Chicago’s historic Pilsen neighborhood. There are also five films available virtually on the Gene Siskel Film Center’s website. This festival is dedicated to exhibiting film and video work that is open, critical, and reflective of the culture, experience, and vision of the artists, according to the release.

The festival was kicked-off on Sept. 25, showing the film, GAZA, co-directed by Irish filmmakers Garry Keane and Andrew McConnell, according to the release. The feature film examines the dreams and realities of life in Palestine and was also Ireland's entry for the Oscars' "Best International Feature Film," and a "Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize nominee," the release said.

The Chicago Palestine Film Festival (CPFF), is the longest-running Palestinian film festival in the world, now in its 19th consecutive season, the release said. The festival is continuing its mission to reflect Palestine and Palestinian culture through the vision of its artists, according to the release.

"CPFF is a great opportunity to experience Palestinian life and culture through these amazing films. We have some great films and documentaries, including many short films, and we are excited about this year’s line-up of films," Executive Director Khaled J. Elkhatib said, according to the release. "I have attended almost every festival since it started in 2001. The pandemic was a surprise and caught everyone off guard, but our team of all-volunteers worked tirelessly to make sure the festival happened, and that we retained the title as the longest-running Palestinian film festival in the world."

The release said Chicago has a large and vibrant Palestinian community, which makes it a natural home for the annual festival. The festival welcomes people of all backgrounds and identities to experience Palestinian stories, connecting Palestinian and Arab communities of the Midwest with each other and with the broader community, according to the release.

Drive-in tickets are $40 with an early bird special of $28 if the promo code "CPFF" is applied. Virtual film tickets are $3 per virtual screening and $10 for an all access pass, according to the release.

Those interested in attending can learn more about the 2020 Chicago Palestine Film Festival schedule line-up on the website.