After the success of last year's inaugural festival, Bristol Palestine Film Festival returns to Bristol with films, talks, masterclasses and events exploring fresh perspectives on Palestine's economic, social, political and cultural life.

The Festival brings rarely seen Palestinian films to Watershed, including gems such as Habibi (Sat 8 Dec) - the first feature film to be set in Gaza in over fifteen years, alongside the Sundance-winning documentary 5 Broken Cameras (Fri 7 - Thu 13 Dec) which kicks off the Festival with a Q+A with Bidisha, Leila Sansour and Ken Loach.

On Sat 8 Dec The Color of Olives screens here in Bristol-born Producer’s Daoud Sarhandi hometown for the very first time, having been seen at over 80 film festivals across the world. He will be at Watershed to introduce the screening and also hosts a masterclass on the making of the film. The Producer grew up in Bristol in the 1960s and 70s, attending Fairfield Grammar before moving to study film in London. His award-winning The Color of Olives is described as 'the most peaceful documentary ever to arrive from a war zone' by the New York Times; this will be only its second showing in the UK.

Watershed's Head of Programme Mark Cosgrove says:

"People and communities are at the heart of this showcase for Palestinian art and cinema and I'm delighted that the Festival is returning to Watershed this year, giving our audiences the opportunity to see these important films, especially at this time when news images of conflict are again defining Palestine."

Festival Organiser David Owen says:

"Throughout the Festival, special events will attempt to forge links between the Palestinian communities represented on screen, and the audiences watching them here in Bristol. An interactive map installation will encourage visitors to think about the cartography of the West Bank. There are lots of exciting events happening across the city over the week and I'd really encourage everyone to get involved!"

Filmmaker Leila Sansour (whose short They Came in the Morning screens at the Festival) said of last year's event:

"The Bristol Palestine Film festival is particularly close to my heart. You cannot but admire the ambition they bring to organising and promoting their events - it felt like Palestine was the flavour of the month in the whole city. The festival provides unique assistance to Palestinian filmmakers throughout the year.”

Running from Fri 7 – Sun 16 December, the festival will be hosted by journalist and critic Bidisha, who will be chairing panels with Ken Loach, Selma Dabbagh and Guy Mannes-Abbott. There will be events across the city including a workshop to accompany the film Free-Running Gaza in Knowle, a cycle powered cinema and a series of photography workshops leading to exhibitions in Palestine. This year’s festival has received support from Bristol City Council, public sponsorship through CrowdFunding, Bristol SweetMart and Unite.

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