Films Without Borders’ short screens at LFF

THREE young film-makers from Rwanda, Israel and Palestine were in London on Wednesday for the screening of their short film ‘Things I Learned From George’ as part of the 54th London Film Festival. Omri Bezalel from Israel, Pierre Kayitana of Rwanda and Ismail Al Qaisi from Palestine presented their short film, which features the trio interviewing ‘Star Wars’ director George Lucas, to an audience at London’s Apollo Cinema . The project was developed with help from an initiative run by charity Films Without Borders, led by TV producer Jill Samuels, which aims to provide support to young film-makers from troubled countries to help launch their careers.After the screening, guests were treated to a champagne reception at the Lanesborough Hotel, which was attended by Prince Edward, who described the film and the charity’s work as “fantastic”. Christina Estrada Juffali, who runs Films Without Borders with Samuels, said: “I’m very proud to give a hope of an idea all around the world. It’s extraordinary to watch what one initiative can do. I feel that we’ve got something that can do really well.” The three young film-makers are now working on their first features. New York Film School student, Bezalel is working on the script for his first feature, about a musician from Israel who comes to New York. Kayitana, on the other hand, has written the script for his first feature, Return Ticket, which will be shot in December in Rwanda. “In my country the film industry is very small. I want to go back and keep on doing what I do, trying to push the film industry in my country,” said Kayitana. Meanwhile, Eric Kabera, the founder of Hillywood and producer of the acclaimed film ‘Africa United’ will jet in today from London where he has been for the premiere of ‘Africa United.’ Ends

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Films Without Borders’ short screens at LFF