Press/media contact: Philip Sokoloff, 626.683.9205

WORLD PREMIERE: SARAH'S WAR OPENS FEBRUARY 11 AT THE HUDSON THEATRE

WHAT: Sarah's War World Premiere engagement of a new play.
WHO: Written by Valerie Dillman. Directed by Matt McKenzie. Produced by Jordan Elgrably for Freedom Theatre West. Executive producer: Amani Jabsheh.
WHERE: Hudson Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90038.
WHEN: Previews Feb. 9 and 10. Gala Opening Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 8 p.m. Runs through Sunday, March 18. Thurs.- Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m.
ADMISSION: Regular performances- $30 preferred, $25 general; Gala Opening- $40 preferred, $30 general; Previews $10.
RESERVATIONS: 310.657.5511
ONLINE TICKETING: www.Plays411.com/sarahswar, www.levantinecenter.org

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GAZA CHILDREN'S ART EXHIBIT OPENS IN LOS ANGELES FOLLOWING BAY-AREA CONTROVERSY;
SUPPORTED BY BROAD COALITION, EXHIBIT UNDERSCORES VALUE OF CULTURAL DIPLOMACY

CONTACT JORDAN ELGRABLY, 310.402.8866
or DHIA RABIAI, 310.593.3961

FREE TUNISIA ORGANIZATION PRESENTS NEW TUNISIAN FILM FESTIVAL
IN HOLLYWOOD ON ANNIVERSARY OF REVOLUTION, JAN. 10-12, 2012

WHEN: Tues-Thurs, Jan. 10, 11, 12, 2012, 5-10 pm
WHERE: Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles 90027
WHY: To celebrate the 1-year anniversary of the Tunisian democracy revolution
WHO: Tunisian filmmakers, artists, musicians and diplomats
HOW : Tickets are a suggested $10 donation. For tickets/reservations, call 310.657.5511 or 424.242.3856 or go online:

http://www.levantinecenter.org/event/tunisian-film-festival

LOS ANGELES (November 7, 2011) - Powerful performances by Brenda Blethyn and Sotigui Kouyaté drive this touching film from Rachid Bouchareb, the three-time Academy-Award nominated director of DAYS OF GLORY (Indigènes) and OUTSIDE THE LAW (Hors La Loi). LONDON RIVER, the story of two parents looking for their respective children following the aftermath of the London bus bombings will have its American premiere at NY's Cinema Village on December 7 and at the Laemmle's Royal in Los Angeles on December 16 with a platform release to follow.

STAR & PRODUCER TO PRESENT "DAVID," MUSLIM-JEWISH FEATURE FILM
IN BEVERLY HILLS, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Los Angeles, Nov. 3, 2011)

Faith, friendship, family and the challenges of being different in America will be discussed following Tuesday's special screening of David. The Levantine Center's New Voices in Middle Eastern Cinema series and the Muslim Public Affairs Council's Hollywood Bureau are pleased to announce a special screening of Joel Fendelman's feature debut David, followed by a cast/crew Q & A and reception, on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 7 pm, at the Ron Brown Auditorium, Horace Mann School, Beverly Hills. Children 12 and under may enter free with parent or guardian. General admission is $12, members and seniors, $10, students $8. RSVP to 310.657.5511.

[LOS ANGELES, 10/14/2011] The Levantine Cultural Center announces the creation of Freedom Theatre West (FTW)—the first theatre company in Southern California to focus on the Middle East/North Africa. FTW's launch event will take place on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011 at the Covina Women's Club, 128 South San Jose Drive, Covina CA 91723-2618, and will consist of short performances from the company's forthcoming play Sarah's War. In attendance will be playwright Valerie Dillman and director Matt McKenzie, with live performances from the play with actors of stage & screen, a slide show, and a special guest appearance by Professor William Cook, author most recently of The Plight of the Palestinians.

LEVANTINE CULTURAL CENTER
MEDIA ADVISORY

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Jordan Elgrably, 310.402.8866

DIANA BUTTU, IN CULVER CITY TO SPEAK ON PALESTINE'S
CONTROVERSIAL BID FOR UN MEMBERSHIP

WHAT: Diana Buttu, former spokesperson for the Palestine Liberation Organization, will speak on one of the most hotly debated topics around the world this year: Palestine's application this week to the United Nations for full membership status. Buttu was an advisor to the Palestinian delegation in peace negotiations with Israel, the only woman to serve in either delegation.

WHO: Buttu is a former spokesperson for the Palestine Liberation Organization, as well as a legal advisor with their Negotiations Affairs Department. From 2000-2005, Buttu was an advisor to the Palestinian delegation in peace negotiations with Israel, the only woman to serve in either delegation.

How does a Stanford graduate and native of a small town in Oklahoma find herself attending Yasser Arafat's funeral, sharing a holiday dinner with a suicide bomber's family, tour-guiding Israeli friends around the West Bank, dating a Palestinian from a conservative Muslim village, and being held at gunpoint?

The Levantine Cultural Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that champions a greater understanding of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), seeks to build a new library and resource center that will provide access to valuable research materials. The library will be open to the public beginning Monday, November 7, and will be available during regular center hours, Monday-Saturday, 10 am-6 pm.

Announcing the Bana Hilal Bridgebuilder Scholarship Fund! Beginning in 2011, for the first time, the Levantine Cultural Center will administer the Bana Hilal Bridgebuilder Scholarship Fund. A qualified student will begin each September and December, when the Levantine Cultural Center will award paid scholarships to college applicants in their junior or senior year. The Fund, generously supported with a grant from the Irvine-based company Applied Medical, provides for a paid 90-day internship at the center, where students can learn valuable new skills, broaden their horizons, expand their network of contacts, and build their resumé.