 Toronto, Ontario, Canada Hosted by Toronto Arab Film Release: May 12, 2023 [For Immediate Release] This year’s Toronto Arab Film Festival (TAFF) will take place in the city of Toronto and online across Canada, from June 1-11, 2023. TAFF is the first of its kind in Toronto, a non-profit festival focused on presenting and promoting films by Arab filmmakers across the world—for both Arab and non-Arab audiences alike. The fourth edition of the festival will host in-person screenings and activities at the Revue Cinema, Innis College, 1411_D and the Goethe Institute, with additional virtual screenings available through the Toronto Arab Film website. This year’s programme spotlights a broad range of both feature-length and short films. They include fiction, documentary, animation, and experimental works by filmmakers from the Arab world and its diasporas. Films include opening night Palestinian film Mediterranean Fever, winner of the best screenplay award in Cannes' Un Certain Regard, an outdoor family friendly screening of the enchantingly animated Dounia et la princesse d'alep and closing the festival this year is A Gaza Weekend, by oscar-nominated filmmaker Basil Kahlil. This year we are boasting an increased number of Arab-Canadian films including two feature documentaries: Desert Rocker by Sara Nacer, a profound portrait of the extraordinary Hasna El Becharia, a pioneer Gnawa artist, and the comedic saga of The Lebanese Burger Mafia by Albertan Omar Mouallem, following a successful run at Hot Docs earlier this month. The Festival is also hosting various professional development events including workshops on Story Editing with Abdul Malik and Digital Marketing Mastery with Carolina Oliveira, and a panel highlighting the Canadian opportunities available for emerging filmmakers and producers. TAF awards offer a financial reward to winning filmmakers, along with a one-of-a-kind trophy designed by a local artist, Habiba El Sayed. Awards include the Juthour Jury Award for Most Promising Filmmaker, the Qayqub Award for Best Canadian Short Film, the Yamama Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film, and the Nakheel Jury Award for Best Feature Film. To explore the festival programme and purchase tickets, visit www.arabfilm.ca. Viewers are encouraged to take advantage of early bird discounts, available until May 26. All non-English films will have subtitles. About Toronto Arab Film Toronto Arab Film (TAF) is a non-profit organization bringing films from and about the Arab world to Toronto audiences. TAF began in 2017 with the goal of addressing a lack of films from the Arab world in Toronto film programming. It has since grown into a multifaceted organization that promotes the diversity of Arab cultures, builds community, creates opportunities for exchange, and develops emerging artists. TAF is ultimately rooted in a desire to reinstate a tradition that has been lost over time: coming together to share in the joy of film and culture. We would like to thank the following funders for their generous support of our festival and it's activities:
Thanks to our community partner:  
 The Toronto Arab Film Festival is looking for film lovers to join our team. As we plan for the 2023 Festival, we are looking for volunteers in the following areas: programming, communications, outreach and operations.
TAF is the first festival of its kind in Toronto, focused on presenting and promoting pan-Arab films by and about Arabs from all over the world. We are run by a dedicated team of volunteers, passionate about Arab cinema and supporting the next generation of filmmakers. For the 2023 edition of our Festival, we are looking for individuals to fill the following positions: * Programmers * Communications Coordinator * Outreach Coordinator * Operations Coordinator Interested in applying? Send your resume to: info@arabfilm.ca and let us know what areas you're interested in.  Toronto Arab Film is seeking new members to join the Board of Directors in 2022 who are interested in helping to strengthen our fledgling organization and bring their expertise in organizational management, fundraising, sponsorships and partnerships to the table. As TAF grows we need a Board of Directors that is able to ensure the long-term sustainability of the organization.
We are looking specifically for people who would be able to help provide expertise and insight in the following areas: > Finance and Accounting > Fundraising and Development > Sponsorship > Operations Board Term: 1 year Frequency of meetings: Every six to eight weeks. Monthly Commitment: Approximately, 10 hours New Board Members will be ratified this October at our upcoming AGM in October. Date to be determined. It is not a requirement, but a passion for community arts and international film is considered an asset.
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TAF would like to acknowledge the land it operates on is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit. We encourage you to learn about the lands you are on today by visiting native-land.ca