The Houston Palestine Film Festival (HPFF) is proud to bring Houston another year of great films and thoughtful discussion with its fourth 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 question and answer 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 an even wider 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, a spotlight on Gaza, and a night honoring the spirit and beauty of women. The film screenings will be followed by special performances, including performances by M-1 (of Dead Prez) and Sabreena da Witch, as well as panel discussions and receptions.

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