WHAT: 4^th Annual Houston Palestine Film Festival

WHEN: May 14-16 & May 21-23 with a Rooftop Kick-off Party on May 13

WHERE: Rice Media Center (May 14-16) & Museum of Fine Arts Houston (May 21-23)

Houston (April 15, 2010) –The Houston Palestine Film Festival is proud to bring Houston another year of great films and thoughtful discussion with its 4^th annual film festival. Last year’s event highlights included a powerful reading by Palestinian-American poet Suheir Hammad, a number of riveting films including Annemarie Jacir’s Salt of this Sea and Q & A sessions with filmmakers Mahdi Fleifel, Annemarie Jacir and Detroit hip-hop artist Invincible. The unprecedented success of 2009’s festival program resulted in HPFF winning the Houston Press Best of Houston award for Best Film Festival!

And though 2009 was a good year for HPFF, this year’s program encompasses a wide range of films that highlight the unique strength and struggle of the Palestinian people. Each night will focus on a specific theme, including an evening dedicated to the work and life of Mahmoud Darwish and an evening to honor and embrace the spirit and beauty of women, and the film screenings will be followed by special performances, panel discussions and receptions.

The first weekend of the film festival include evening screenings at the Rice Media Center that begin at 7 pm. Sunday’s afternoon screening begins at 3 pm. The following and last weekend of the festival will include evening screenings that begin at 7 pm at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. Sunday’s MFAH screening will begin at 2 pm.  Please visit www.hpff.org for full line up and information.

And what is a film festival without a kick-off party to get things started right? HPFF will host a kick-off party on the rooftop at KHON’S in the heart of midtown Houston on May 13, 2010 at 7 pm. There will be food and drinks, entertainment, dabka and an opportunity to mingle with awesome HPFF organizers and supporters.

Parking will be available onsite at both Rice Media Center and MFAH for a small fee. Ticket price per evening – $9. For more information or to buy your tickets online, please visit www.hpff.org.