The Arab Film Festival Australia has launched their 2011 festival with a selection of films that are on pulse with the Arab world in a time of incredible change. Presenting twenty-two front-line stories from Morocco to Iraq and beyond, the Festival will run from 30th June to 31st July, hitting Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Brisbane along the way.

Supported by Parramatta City Council and managed by Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE), a not-for-profit community and arts organisation; the Arab Film Festival Australia is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Aimed at exploring urgent and important themes and issues for Arab communities worldwide, the 2011 programme also captures a round-up of the best films from the Arab Spring. Festival Co-Director Mouna Zaylah says this year’s programme matches emotional impact with cultural and thematic diversity. “Our programme aims to not only take our audience into the hearts and homes of these people as they are today, it also aims to generate public debate and encourage further understanding between Arab and non-Arab audiences,” she said. “We are mixing it up with a collection of shorts, documentaries and features that come from Australia, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Kuwait, UAE, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, France, Canada, UK, the Netherlands, USA, Egypt, Syria and Iraq.”

Showcasing stories from diverse Arabic-speaking cultures to broad Australian audiences, the Festival reflects the complexity and diversity of Arab communities and experiences, and addresses the (mis)representations of Arab culture through film. This includes inviting Australian audiences to build a richer understanding of diverse Arab culture, history and contemporary life, while simultaneously offering a platform for emerging, developing and established Arab-Australian filmmakers to show their screen-based work to a broader audience. “These films are going to make you laugh and cry, and they will surely take you on a journey,” said Festival Co-Director Fadia Abboud. “Our programme allows audiences to celebrate the strength and resilience of the Arab people and celebrate the talent of the filmmakers.”

During its tenure the Arab Film Festival Australia has hosted international guests, held associated forums and screened films by Arab filmmakers from all over the world. It also curates a programme aimed at generating public debate and attention, as well as nurturing dialogue between Arab and non-Arab audiences. Since its inception, the Festival has shared and experienced Arab cinema with an audience of more than 15,000 people throughout Australia.

For further information on the Festival itself, please check their official website on http://arabfilmfestival.com.au/ or go to http://arabfilmfestival.com.au/calendar for a list of dates, cities and venues.