Our tour of Canada is coming to a close but we will be back soon! A bientôt!
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Dear Friends, As we prepare to leave Canada, we wanted to let you all know that this was only the beginning. With all the wonderful new friends we made on this trip, and the incredible reception of the film in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Edmonton, we are certain to return time and again to reach new audiences and present the case of Bethlehem to decision makers in Canada as well as the USA. |
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"The Toronto Palestine Film Festival was thrilled to host the sold-out Toronto premiere of Open Bethlehem. Director Leila Sansour was greeted by a standing ovation from our audience, who for the rest of the festival raved about the message of this film. It was an honor to be granted a Bethlehem passport alongside a resident of the city who was in our audience that night. The film and the campaign together allow people to experience the beauty of Bethlehem and the threats it faces. Thank you to all who are working on this important initiative to save a city we all love."
Dania Majid. Founder and Director of the Palestine Film Festival in Toronto |
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There will be no future for Bethlehem unless we bring down the wall!
One of the most popular morning shows on Canadian CBC radio (Edmonton AM) interviews Leila Sansour to talk about the situation in her hometown of Bethlehem. Listen |
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Leila Sansour with Marcello Di Cintio
Author of Walls: Travels Along The Barricades A new ambassador for Bethlehem |
Leila Sansour with Nadia Zouaoui
Award Winning Film Maker and Journalist A new ambassador for Bethlehem |
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Leila Sansour with Hadani Ditmars
Author, Journalist and Photographer Our new ambassador for Bethlehem |
Elana Wright and Christian Champigny
from Development and Peace Canada Our new ambassadors for Bethlehem |
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"Leila Sansour's Open Bethlehem is as much a lament for her beloved hometown, and those who live there, as it is a call for the world's attention. The result is a film of heart-rendering humanity that manages, in spite of everything, to inspire hope."
Marcello Di Cintio, Author of Walls: Travels Along The Barricades “Open Bethlehem offers unique insight into the lives and experiences of the people living in Bethlehem over the past turbulent decade. As an organization that is working for peace, Development and Peace is very proud to support this film and to be working with Open Bethlehem in order to see this story shared widely across Canada. The film offers people a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by this multi-faith community whose struggles have an enormous influence on the cause of peace today.” Christian Champigny, Deputy Director of International Programs, Development and Peace "Thank you for opening the doors of Bethlehem for all of us. Now that I have a passport, I will make sure to visit." Nadia Zouaoui, Award Winning Film Maker and Journalist "I think I know what Bethlehem stands for. It stands for radical hospitality." Hadani Ditmars, Author, Journalist and Photographer Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you feel inspired to organize a screening at your local cinema or at your university or church. Please send your ideas and suggestions to Andrea Webber at Film@iambicdream.com
Our intention is to tour North America throughout the coming year and build the momentum together with you. It has been both exhilarating and humbling to receive such a warm reception and we particularly wanted to thank our generous partner and sponsor Development and Peace, Dania Majid and the Toronto Palestine Film Festival, as well as our talented hosts Nadia Zouaoui, Marcello Di Cintio and the amazing Hadani Ditmars 
Thank you to our Audiences and Supporters!
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We hope to see you all very soon. Nous serons de retour! Leila Sansour and all the team of Open Bethlehem |