Creativity for Peace, a Santa Fe-based nonprofit organization that trains young Palestinian and Israeli women to partner as leaders by “transforming anger and prejudice into mutual respect” hosts a special movie screening this Thursday, Nov 14, at 6:30pm at Santa Fe’s Violet Crown Theater (1606 Alcaldesa St.). The documentary Soufra traces the unlikely and inspirational story of intrepid social entrepreneur Mariam Shaar. She was a refugee who spent her entire life in the Burj El Barajneh refugee camp in Beirut, Lebanon. The film follows Shaar as she launches a successful food truck business from inside the camp, eventually allowing other Syrian, Iraqi, Palestinian and Lebanese refugee women to take charge of their lives by recruiting them into her growing foodie empire. The filmmakers behind Soufra are scheduled to attend the screening and will participate in a post-film Q&A. Tickets are $20 each or $15 for students. To reserve seats in advance, go to santafe.violetcrown.com. Creativity for Peace is also offering a local cooking class on Dec. 8, focusing on dishes featured in the film and in the Soufra cookbook. You can sign up at the screening and get a 10 percent discount on that class. All proceeds from these events go toward Creativity for Peace.
Reel World: You Mesopotamian With Me? You Mesopotamian With Me?
The Mesopotamian Tale in Performance is described as an “anti-fiction” saga based on 4,000 years of recovered tablets and carvings, presented to audiences through dramatic recitation, music and dance. Many of these ancient Middle Eastern writings were later repurposed and patched into the Hebrew Bible. The Mesopotamian Tale in Performance (based on the works of New Age author Mike Brenner) was originally performed live in New York City. The filmed version of this stage event (which, in a nutshell, describes early humanity’s subjugation at the hands of all-powerful alien gods) is going to be shown at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Santa Fe (107 W. Barcelona Rd.) on Friday, Nov. 15 starting at 7:30pm. A discussion follows the video screening. Admission is free. For more info on evolutiondiverted.com.
Reel World: Man’s Best Film Man’s Best Film
The 2nd Annual Furry Burque Film Festival hits Guild Cinema (3405 Central Ave. NE) Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 16 and 17 at 1pm. Boofy’s Best For Pets presents this collection of 22 pet- and animal-themed short films from around the world. Documentaries, comedies, dramas, horror films, animation and foreign language selections are all on offer. (Each day features a different lineup of films.) First, Second and Third Place awards will be decided by audience vote. Tickets are $10 each day and can be purchased in advance by going to boofysbest.com/blog/2nd-annual-furry-burque-film-festival. A portion of the proceeds goes to benefit Second Chance Animal Rescue.
Reel World: Submit To Sf Submit To Sf
Attention filmmakers! As of Nov. 12, the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival is accepting submissions for next year’s 12th annual SFIFF (taking place Oct. 14 through 18). Organizers are on the hunt for entries in the following categories: Narrative Films, Documentaries, International Films, Animated Films, Indigenous Films, Student Films and Virtual Reality. The Santa Fe Film Institute will present cash awards totaling $3,500 to the best films at next year’s festival. The early bird deadline isn’t until March 4, 2020. You have until then to submit feature films for the $45 entry fee. VR or short films are $40. New Mexico student films are free to submit. Films should be submitted via FilmFreeway.com. For more details go to santafeindependentfilmfestival.com/submit-a-film.
