King Hussein Foundation Presents Annual Media and Humanity Program, 4/22

On Thursday, April 22, her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, in conjunction with the Tribeca Film Festival (TFF), will host the King Hussein Foundation (KHF) Media and Humanity Program at The Japan Society. The evening will include a screening of "Budrus", the Award Winning Documentary film, a panel discussion moderated by CNN’s chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour and featuring Avni, Bacha, and the Palestinian protagonist of the film, Ayed Morrar, along with MIT researcher, Nicole Argo. Finally, Queen Noor will award the annual King Hussein Leadership Prize at the Japan Society.

The yearly partnership between the KHF and the TFF promotes films and media projects that highlight shared values, rights and aspirations across social, economic, political and cultural divides with special emphasis on the Middle East and Muslim world. This year’s program will feature a screening of "Budrus", the award winning documentary film about a Palestinian community organizer who launches a nonviolent resistance movement to save his village from destruction by Israel’s Separation Barrier. Struggling side by side with Israeli activists and with women in the frontlines, the villagers of Budrus unleash an inspiring, yet little known, movement in the Occupied Palestinian Territories that is still gaining ground today.  

After premiering as the Cultural Bridge Gala screening at the Dubai International Film Festival in December, "Budrus" went on to win the Panorama Audience Award, Second Prize, at the Berlin International Film Festival in February. Directed by Julia Bacha and produced by Bacha, Ronit Avni and Rula Salameh, "Budrus" is the second feature documentary released by Just Vision, a non-profit organization that generates awareness and support for Palestinians and Israelis working for nonviolent solutions to the conflict. The film will be introduced by TFF co-founder Jane Rosenthal.

Immediately following the screening and panel discussion, Her Majesty Queen Noor, chairperson of the KHF, will award the Foundation’s King Hussein Leadership Prize. The prize is given annually to individuals, institutions, or groups who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in their efforts to advocate for sustainable development, human rights, tolerance, equity and peace. The Leadership Prize is one of several KHF programs honoring the late King Hussein’s lifelong dedication to peace and development. 

For more information about the King Hussein Foundation Program, visit www.kinghusseinfoundation.org.