Introduction to the Toronto Cinematic Festival
The city of Toronto has been hosting its annual Cinematic Festival since the eighth of this month, marking a milestone of 50 years. This festival has created an atmosphere of euphoria, not only due to its long life but also because of its success in showcasing a large group of films.
Important Incentives for Arabic Cinema
The Arabic cinema takes advantage of the fact that the decisions of the Canadian festival are not based on strict artistic criteria. This provides an opportunity for Arabic films to be showcased, as they have a great chance of being seen by a broad audience within the festival. Additionally, there is a possibility that these films can be distributed by American companies, which can help them reach a global audience.
Freedom from Competition
The fact that the festival does not have an official competition or arbitration committees means that all films, including Arabic ones, are free from the pressure of winning or losing. This allows the films to be judged on their own merit, rather than being compared to others.
Other Incentives
There are other incentives for Arabic cinema, such as the current situation in Gaza and the neighboring areas, which has led to an increased interest in Palestinian films. The Toronto Festival provides a platform for these films to be showcased, and some of them have already gained recognition, such as "Palestine 36" by Mary Ann Jasser.
Notable Films
Some notable films that are being showcased at the festival include "Palestine 36", "Voice of Hind Ragab" by Kawthar bin Haniyeh, and "With Hassan in Gaza" by Kamal Jaafari. These films provide a unique perspective on the Palestinian issue, both historically and currently.
Unprecedented Situation
The Palestinian edition has touched the door of Toronto and the world from two doors: history and present. This unprecedented situation has helped some other Arabic films to attract increasing attention, as the audience is more numerous than ever.
Other Arabic Films
Other Arabic films that are being showcased at the festival include "Anonymous" by Saudi director Haifa al-Mansour and "Erkala – Dream of Gelgamish" by Iraqi director Muhammad Al-darraji. These films deal with different topics, such as a mother’s quest for justice and a child’s search for a goal in a difficult time.
Conclusion
The Toronto festival is more than just an Arabic meeting or a meeting for another region. It is one of the festivals that have been built to last, and it has been able to put on a mere occasion that attracts films that were previously shown at other festivals to a complete and international status festival.
