TOMORROW’S FREEDOM
Apr
26
8:00 PM20:00

TOMORROW’S FREEDOM

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Made over the course of 5 years, this film gains intimate access to the family of imprisoned Palestinian political leader, Marwan Barghouthi. Through his family and a collage of in depth interviews, the immersive documentary is an unflinchingly honest and transformative journey into the saga of Palestinian prisoners, their loved ones, and political representation of Palestinians under occupation. 

Preceded by DAKHLA and HIGH ROADS

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THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS
Apr
27
6:00 PM18:00

THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS

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Israel violates the civil and human rights of Palestinians as a matter of standard, accepted policy. The law is whatever Israel deems to be in the best interest of Jewish Israelis and to the detriment of Palestinians. However, this film follows brave determined individuals who are trying to expose the destructive, unjust, and sometimes invisible ways in which Israel exploits and oppresses Palestinians.

Preceded by SAMIA HALABY: A VIDEO PORTRAIT

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THREE PROMISES
Apr
28
1:00 PM13:00

THREE PROMISES

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Three Promises is the story of a mother and her camera, of a son and his suppressed memories, and of an entire country. While on the surface there emerges the heartrending portrait of everyday life in times of war, it is the staggering beauty of a mother’s love that is revealed between the lines.

Preceded by HAMZA: THE GHOST CHASING ME and PULSE OF PALESTINE

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BYE BYE TIBERIAS (Encore)
Apr
28
3:30 PM15:30

BYE BYE TIBERIAS (Encore)

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In a moving memoir about the burden of leaving, the endurance of memory, and the determination to forge one’s own destinies and identities, filmmaker Lina Soualem traces the story of her mother — Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass — and their family, whose lives have been defined by separation, exile, and displacement.

Preceded by JAMILA and AN ORANGE FROM JAFFA

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YALLAH GAZA
May
1
6:00 PM18:00

YALLAH GAZA

SOLD OUT

YALLAH GAZA explores historical and geopolitical aspects, Palestinian politics, International Law and records. The film bears witness to their “fury to live” and the daily struggle that keeps despair at bay as Palestinians pass this flame, their culture and their land, from one generation to the next.

Preceded by THE REALITY THAT SURPASSES ME

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CLOSING NIGHT: LYD
May
4
7:00 PM19:00

CLOSING NIGHT: LYD

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LYD follows the rise and fall of Lyd — a 5,000-year-old metropolis that was once a bustling Palestinian town until it was conquered when the State of Israel was established in 1948. As the film unfolds, a chorus of characters creates a tapestry of the Palestinian experience of this city and the trauma left by the massacre and expulsion.

Preceded by RESISTANCE CLIMBING

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FADIA'S TREE
Apr
24
6:00 PM18:00

FADIA'S TREE

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While millions of birds migrate freely in the skies, a Palestinian refugee in Lebanon, yearns for the ancestral homeland she is denied. The homing instincts of the birds highlight the unresolved problems of the region, and this story adopts a birds’ eye perspective to reflect on freedom of movement, exile and the hope of return.

Preceded by FOREVER KHALED and MAR MAMA

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ISRAELISM
Apr
21
1:00 PM13:00

ISRAELISM

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When two young American Jews raised to unconditionally love Israel witness the brutal way Israel treats Palestinians, their lives take sharp left turns. ISRAELISM uniquely explores how Jewish attitudes towards Israel are changing dramatically, with massive consequences for the region.

Preceded by JABAL

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OPENING NIGHT: BYE BYE TIBERIAS
Apr
20
7:00 PM19:00

OPENING NIGHT: BYE BYE TIBERIAS

SOLD OUT

Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. with a reception.

In a moving memoir about the burden of leaving, the endurance of memory, and the determination to forge one’s own destinies and identities, filmmaker Lina Soualem traces the story of her mother — Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass — and their family, whose lives have been defined by separation, exile, and displacement.

Preceded by JAMILA and AN ORANGE FROM JAFFA

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Yallah Gaza (ENCORE)
Jan
9
6:20 PM18:20

Yallah Gaza (ENCORE)

Yallah Gaza explores historical and geopolitical aspects, Palestinian politics, International Law and records. The film bears witness to their “fury to live” and the daily struggle that keeps despair at bay as Palestinians pass this flame, their culture and their land, from one generation to the next.

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Yallah Gaza
Jan
9
6:00 PM18:00

Yallah Gaza

Yallah Gaza explores historical and geopolitical aspects, Palestinian politics, International Law and records. The film bears witness to their “fury to live” and the daily struggle that keeps despair at bay as Palestinians pass this flame, their culture and their land, from one generation to the next.

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Gaza Film Night (virtual)
Dec
7
8:00 PM20:00

Gaza Film Night (virtual)

The Chicago Palestine Film Festival invites you to attend the virtual screening of two short films: GAZA FOOTBULLET, directed by Gaza based filmmaker Iyad Alasttal and THE NIGHTMARE OF GAZA, by Farah Nabulsi. We hope to see you all there to support Palestinian filmmakers and perspectives.

Interview with renowned filmmaker, Farah Nabulsi, following the screening!

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Bye Bye Tiberias
Oct
16
2:45 PM14:45

Bye Bye Tiberias

In a moving memoir about the burden of leaving, the endurance of memory, and the determination to forge one’s own destinies and identities, filmmaker Lina Soualem traces the story of her mother — Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass — and their family, whose lives have been defined by separation, exile, and displacement.

In partnership with CIFF

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Bye Bye Tiberias
Oct
15
6:45 PM18:45

Bye Bye Tiberias

In a moving memoir about the burden of leaving, the endurance of memory, and the determination to forge one’s own destinies and identities, filmmaker Lina Soualem traces the story of her mother — Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass — and their family, whose lives have been defined by separation, exile, and displacement.

In partnership with CIFF

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Walled Off
Aug
10
8:00 PM20:00

Walled Off

***SOLD OUT***

Director Panel Discussion post screening

From writer, director, producor, editor and composer Vin Arfuso, with producers Anwar Hadid, Kweku Mandela, Roger Waters, Immortal Technique, Yassmine Qaddumi, Bassam Jarbawi and Rob Proto.

A secret museum in an art hotel sparks intrigue when it's revealed to be a creation of controversial artist, Banksy. The film journeys through the hotel, Palestine, and a relevant past to dismantle the mainstream media's bias towards the Palestinian struggle for freedom and equality.

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CLOSING DAY: Boycott (SOLD OUT!)
May
14
1:00 PM13:00

CLOSING DAY: Boycott (SOLD OUT!)

Unbeknownst to most Americans, 34 states passed laws intending to silence those pressuring Israel on its human rights record. Boycott chronicles one of the most consequential First Amendment battles of the past few decades and investigates the question – how did we get here?

Preceded by A TRIP TO THE MOTHERLAND and I AM FROM PALESTINE

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Alam
May
5
8:00 PM20:00

Alam

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The story of a Palestinian teenager named Tamer, who becomes enamored with Maysaa’. As he grows closer to her, he agrees to take part in a mysterious and life-changing operation dubbed ‘Alam’.

Preceded by A TRIP TO THE MOTHERLAND and WALLS CANNOT KEEP US FROM FLYING

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Mediterranean Fever
Oct
20
5:30 PM17:30

Mediterranean Fever

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In partnership with the 58th Chicago International Film Festival

Director Maha Haj in person!

In this wry, absurdist tale of mid-life restlessness, husband and father Waleed dreams of becoming a successful novelist yet is plagued by a severe case of writer’s block. He forges an unlikely connection with petty criminal Jalal and his fortunes seem to shift. Mediterranean Fever is a sly, charming story of friendship and personal crisis told with a melancholic wit reminiscent of The Sopranos.

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Mediterranean Fever
Oct
19
5:30 PM17:30

Mediterranean Fever

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In partnership with the 58th Chicago International Film Festival

Director Maha Haj in person!

In this wry, absurdist tale of mid-life restlessness, husband and father Waleed dreams of becoming a successful novelist yet is plagued by a severe case of writer’s block. He forges an unlikely connection with petty criminal Jalal and his fortunes seem to shift. Mediterranean Fever is a sly, charming story of friendship and personal crisis told with a melancholic wit reminiscent of The Sopranos.

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Return to Ramallah (work-in-progress)
May
20
8:00 PM20:00

Return to Ramallah (work-in-progress)

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After 40 years of living in the U.S, Fuad returns to his native Ramallah, Palestine with Nadine, his American-born daughter who grapples with her Palestinian-American identity. Work-in-progress screening followed by Q+A with director and producers. Special preference given to students, film industry professionals and CPFF partners.

Preceded by MARIAM
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CPFF Memberships and Partnerships