Let's All Be Free Film Festival 2013
NEW FILM FESTIVAL ASKS:
WHAT DOES BEING FREE MEAN TO YOU?
Arab-American Film Director Launches Festival With Award-Winning Films; Speakers Incl. AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL & BAFTA NOMINEE KIM LONGINOTTO
LONDON -- The inaugural Let's All Be Free Film Festival 2013 will be exploring and celebrating what 'being free' means to people from all over the world - with a weekend of fearless and fascinating short films; guest speakers including Amnesty International, Kim Longinotto and Liberty; panel discussions; Q&As; spoken word; and an Opening Night Gala.
Watch our trailer to get an idea of what we're all about, and reserve your free place here! http://letsallbefreefestival-eorg.eventbrite.co.uk/
What does being FREE mean to you?
Launched by award-winning Palestinian-American filmmaker Tariq Nasir and his independent film production company Unusuality Productions, the festival brings together filmmakers, film-lovers, human rights campaigners, academics and members of the public yearning to engage in the universal debate around ‘freedom’.
The festival is a forum where creative and diverse voices can explore freedom’s many definitions and implications, whilst celebrating cinematic expression. The debate seeps into social, philosophical, economic, and political discourse at every turn, so we pose the important question – what does ‘being free’ really mean?
The festival will screen 37 superb new films exploring what it means to be free, including 18 world and international premieres, in the categories of Fiction, Documentary and Expressions. Highlights include the recently BAFTA nominated The Voorman Problem starring Martin Freeman (pictured); a witty transgender romance starring Heidi Heaslet (New Girl); a documentary about Martin Luther King, Jr., which was screened before President Obama and features former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell; an explosive artistic collaboration between Dutch artist Frank Vroegop and Radiohead; and a moving portrait of life for gay U.S. military members.
This bold film festival is already courting controversy by choosing to screen the new Bulgarian film Botev Is An Idiot, a short fiction film about Bulgaria's national hero Hristo Botev, which recently had its screening at the Sofia International Film Festival threatened with sabotage by the Botev football club - who also wrote to the mayor and Ministry of Culture demanding that the film be pulled from the festival.
The festival will also host speakers including Amnesty International’s Advocacy Director Steve Crawshaw; renowned filmmaker Kim Longinotto (director of new release Salma); Sophie Farthing from human rights organisation Liberty; Prof. Richard Disney, economist and former adviser to the World Bank; and Sean Baine, chair of The Equality Trust. Plus - celebrated spoken word artist Charlie Dupré will also be performing.
“How people perceive ‘being free’ can be deeply personal, passionate and provocative,” Nasir says. “We are ready to screen powerful ideas and images.”
What it means to be free has perplexed humans for eternity. We’ve used ‘freedom’ to justify war; write peace treaties; deny other people rights; and strive for equality. Freedom is not an easy thing to define – yet it continues to influence our view of each other and the world.
The inaugural Let’s All Be Free Film Festival is just one part of the larger Let’s All Be Free Project, which also includes a platform for creativity and debate including videos, photos, and artwork; an interactive website; a social media presence of nearly 15,000 international followers; a blog; and an aim to spread awareness and understanding.
Director Tariq Nasir's motivation for creating Let's All Be Free comes from a lifetime of exploring issues of equality. Born in New York to an American mother and Palestinian father, he lived in Palestine until the 1967 war, when his family fled to Jordan as refugees.
Growing up in both Jordan and the U.S., Tariq went on to have a successful career in investment banking before deciding to follow his dream of being a filmmaker and living with the purpose he had taught his children about for years - making a positive difference in the world. He is passionate about cultural activities that promote understanding between people, leading workshops to combat prejudice and facilitating Jewish-Palestinian dialogue groups.
“The concept of being free differs so much depending on where you live, what you endure, or what you dream of,” says Nasir. “It’s exciting to see the many truths people experience, or dream of experiencing, and how they express them via the medium of film.”
About Unusuality Productions:
Unusuality Productions is the award-winning, independent film production company and creative force behind the Let’s All Be Free Film Festival and wider project. Founded in 2005 by director Tariq Nasir and based in London, the U.S. and Jordan, the company also produces feature films, documentaries and short films.
For more information / all press enquiries:
Stephanie Robinson – Producer & Press Liaison
+44 (0)7887 986 691 | +44 (0)20 3617 9141 | stephanie@unusualityproductions.com
http://www.letsallbefree.com/film-festival.html
http://unusualityproductions.com/