From April 17 through the 27, Tucson will host the 17th Arizona International Film Festival. The festival will allow up and coming filmmakers to debut their work, and 80 films are scheduled to run featuring filmmakers from 15 different countries.

The festival, which is Arizona's longest running, attracts visitors from all over the country.

One of the films, entitled Palestine En Solidaridad (Palestine in Solidarity), is a 5 minute documentary made by J.M. Aragon. The film follows a delegation from Palestine who visit the U.S.-Mexico border with Tucson human rights group Coalición de Derechos Humanos.


The film examines the reactions of the delegation as they come face to face with the similarities between the national border crises at home and abroad. They also question the authority of those who see such walls as necessary to keep out the “unwanted.” the film will be showing April 24 at 6 p.m. in the Screening Room.

Aragon is a Tucson native who has been exploring U.S.-Mexico border issues since 2005. His documentary Presente: Inside the Migrant Trail Walk (2006) was an official selection of the Arizona International Film Festival and was featured in the debut of Filmstock at the Rialto Theater.

The festival also features a number of other films by directors from Spain and Mexico.

Single admission tickets can be purchased from $6 to $10 depending on the day and film. Passes can also be purchased. A $40 pass will allow the holder to attend 6 screenings, while a $150 pass includes all screenings, workshops and events. Beginning April 8, you can purchase your passes in advance at The Screening Room, 127 East Congress, Tuesday through Saturday from 2 to 6PM. Single admission tickets can be purchased up to two hours prior to the viewing.

Call 882-0204 for pass information.