[Los Angeles, July 29, 2010]--The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), presenters of the Golden Globes, awarded a grant to the Levantine Cultural Center (LCC) to support the center's monthly film series, "New Voices in Middle Eastern Cinema". Very few of the films in the "New Voices" series receive nationwide theatrical distribution, and oftentimes LCC screening events present the only local opportunity to view and discuss these films in a public forum.

Matthew Fox (r) hands grant check to LCC director"Lost" co-star Matthew Fox presented the check to LCC director Jordan Elgrably yesterday at the Four Seasons. Other celebrity presenters included Nicole Kidman, Annette Bening, Jane Lynch and Eva Longoria, and fellow grantees included AFI and Sundance.

The HFPA celebrated their annual Installation Luncheon on July 28th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. The star-studded luncheon presented a record $1,541,000 in financial grants to 41 film schools and non-profit organizations. The event also celebrated the election of the HFPA's 2010-2011 officers.

Since 2002, the LCC has presented a broad range of independent feature films and documentaries, from Sally Potter's "Yes" to Hany Abu-Assad's "Paradise Now," Cherien Dabis' "Amreeka" and the recent Israeli feature "Ajami," along with Lebanon's "Caramel" and dozens more. These screenings feature cast/crew discussions that address both the art of filmmaking and the broader issues presented in the film. Past topics include: how Arab/Muslim characters contrast with portrayals in Hollywood cinema and television; post-colonialism; national and ethnic conflict; women's rights; family relationships in the Middle East/West, and the condition of being "between worlds"-grappling with a dual American-Middle Eastern identity

Levantine Cultural Center (LCC) champions greater understanding of the Middle East and North Africa by presenting artistic and educational programs that bridge political and religious divides. These programs afford provocative opportunities to have our assumptions challenged, and to engage in meaningful dialogue. In a search for common ground, the Center fosters discussions among artists and thinkers, and offers classes and workshops serving diverse ethnic communities.
Recent films screened in the New Voices series include the Franco-Tunisian hit

"The Secret of the Grain," the Jordanian Oscar submission "Captain Abu Raed," the powerful Iranian-American film "The Stoning of Soraya M" and "Niloofar."

Media requests contact Camillia Shofani, 310.657.5511.