Reel Festivals
A celebration of film, music and culture from areas in conflict
Sponsors & Partners
Reel Festivals gratefully acknowledges the assistance and hard work of our partners & sponsors.
Afghan Schools Trust
The Afghan Schools Trust is a small charity dedicated to improving the lives and opportunities of children in Afghanistan. They fund and support community initiatives, particularly in areas outside the reach of government or NGO assistance.
So far they have provided complete funding for four schools educating over 600 girls and boys in Nuristan, northeast Afghanistan and also fund teacher training courses for the local men and who run and staff the schools.
Visit the Afghan Schools Website
Arab British Centre
The Arab British Centre is a non-religious non-political charitable organisation which promotes arts and culture inspired by the Arab world.
Visit the Arab British Centre Website
Arab Fund
The Arab Fund Limited was founded in 1992. The main of objects of The Arab Fund are to provide financial and moral support to the cultural, social, economic and political Pan-Arab activities at the national Pan-Arab and international levels.
Arts Council England
Arts Council England champions, develops and invests in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people’s lives.
They support a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to digital art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections.
British Council
The United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland)
Our purpose is to build mutually beneficial relationships between people in the UK and other countries and to increase appreciation of the UK’s creative ideas and achievements.
This work is driven by our strong belief in internationalism, a commitment to professionalism and an enthusiasm for creativity. These qualities, coupled with our integrity and our conviction that cultural relations can help individuals and the world community to thrive, make the British Council a good partner and a special place to work.
Visit the British Council Website
The British Institute for the Study of Iraq (BISI)
The British Institute for the Study of Iraq (Gertrude Bell Memorial) was established as the British School of Archaeology in Iraq on 14 January 1932 to promote, support and undertake research in Iraq and neighbouring countries. The Institute’s aim is to advance research and public education relating to Iraq and neighbouring countries in anthropology, archaeology, geography, history, languages and related disciplines within the arts, humanities and social sciences from the earliest times until the present.
The Institute makes grants to promote, support and undertake research and public education relating to Iraq and neighbouring countries. The Institute’s publications include the results of excavations and other research, the annual academic journal IRAQ and a bi-annual Newsletter. The Institute organizes and supports a range of events, including lectures and study days, often at the British Academy in London but also elsewhere in the UK . Since 2005 over ten BISI/BSAI Iraqi Scholars and Fellows have had placements in the UK under its Visiting Iraqi Fellowship Programme supported by the BISI Appeal. The Institute welcomes new members and membership is open to all.
Creative Scotland
Creative Scotland is the new national leader for Scotland’s arts, screen and creative industries. It’s our job to help Scotland’s creativity shine at home and abroad.
We invest in talented people and exciting ideas. We develop the creative industries and champion everything that’s good about Scottish creativity.
Scotland boasts an incredible range of talent, from award-winning directors and writers to widely recognised actors and internationally renowned visual artists, architects and digital companies. As a result of the wealth of indigenous talent, Scotland produces a huge volume of home-grown productions and products each year.
We think Scotland’s arts, screen and creative industries are worth shouting about. We’ll lead the shouting.
Visit the Creative Scotland Website
Cultures of Resistance
The mission of the Cultures of Resistance Network is to conduct and support public educational activities related to human rights, international law, United States foreign policy, independent media, arts, and culture.
Visit the Cultures of Resistance Website
Etana Books
Etana Books is a bookshop and library in Syria, and so much more. In a beautfully restored old house in central Damascus you will find:
- A large variety of high quality books from the Arab world from numerous publishing houses an exceptional range of foreign books
- A current and well-balanced compilation of books on social sciences and natural sciences
- An outstanding sample of pedagogic literature for children and young people
- An excellent selection of classical, jazz, and local music as well as films
- A computer-based catalogue for book research and respectively assisting staff
- Monthly activities in various cultural and intellectual fields
- A comfortable and favorable atmosphere for research and discussion.
Fair Observer
Fair Observer is a news analysis platform which aims to provide a plurality of perspectives across borders, disciplines and ideologies. They offer a home to narratives and voices long excluded from mainstream media. Their goal is to give you a 360° view of the world, with diversity and debate, and with the story behind the story.
They want to create a global discourse where the best minds share their thoughts, debate, discuss, seek the truth and make sense of the world. Fair Observer is a media partner for Reel Iraq 2013.
For more information: Visit the Fair Observer Website
FILI
FILI – Finnish Literature Exchange is an expert and export organisation, which supports the translation, printing and publication of literature and promotes the awareness of Finnish literature abroad.
For more information: Visit the FILI Website
Filmhouse
Filmhouse are Scotland’s foremost independent cinema situated on Lothian Road in Edinburgh.
The present Filmhouse has 3 cinemas which are open to the public seven days a week. Cinema One screens the latest international releases and presents special events with guests talking about their work in different branches of the film industry. Cinemas Two and Three include a wider range of material from the history of world cinema, 16mm, video and digital video work.
Firefly International
Firefly International is a charity working to resolve conflict worldwide, by building links between communities everywhere and supporting youth, community and grassroots activities.
This is achieved by focussing on what people have in common, rather than what separates them, and most of their activities are arts and culture. They help young and marginalised people to set up their own projects and activities. Where they do not possess the confidence and skills to set up their own activities, Firefly International help them to find volunteering opportunities to build up their knowledge, confidence and experience.
Reel Festivals is a Firefly International Project
Visit the Firefly International Website
Forest
The Forest is a volunteer-run, collectively-owned, free arts and events space masquerading as a vegetarian café.
It provides a dedicated space for people to get involved in any creative activity imaginable. Events have included music, theatre, dancing, yoga, massage, poetry recitals, art displays, knit-ins, book tours, language teaching, monsterbike making…and plenty more. The Forest is always on the lookout for new events and ideas.
Free Word Centre
Free Word is where reading, writing and free speech come together; a dynamic production house for literature, politics and ideas.
Located in the heart of London but with an international outlook, the Free Word Centre is home to nine resident organisations and over 25 associates working across literature, literacy and free expression.
Free Word is many things: a venue, a meeting place, an office space, a thinking space, a place of debate and risk taking, a window to the world, a robust voice for the word.
Galloway Footwear Co-operative
As well as making beautiful, hard-wearing shoes and clogs, Galloway Footwear Co-operative have supported all the Reel Festivals projects. Visit their website for clogs and shoes from stock or made to measure.
Visit the Galloway Footwear Co-operative Website
Hibr.me
Hibr.me is an innovative youth-driven alternative media outlet that engages individuals, community organizations, schools, universities, and companies around Lebanon in building public awareness on critical social, economic, environmental and public-interest issues. Hibr.me does that by working to foster a strong sense of community engagement, critical observation and critical thinking, and independent content creation on critical issues. Hibr.me is totally independent of any political or sectarian group or movement, and is powered by young people in Lebanon between high school age and 30.
Hibr.me believes that everybody can be and should be a contributor to the media, and works to empower and support non-professional “citizen” journalists to contribute stories, information, ideas, and observations. Hibr.me also believes that the profession of journalism needs to be rejuvenated, with an increased emphasis on quality, analytic, and investigative public-interest reporting.
IESAV
The IESAV (Institut d’études scéniques, audiovisuelles et cinématographiques) is an institute of education and training attached to the Faculty of Humanities at the University Saint Joseph, Beirut, Lebanon. It consists of a Department of Fundamental Studies which provides a B.A and a Graduate Department, responsible for issuing the Master and the PhD degrees in the area of theatre and cinema .
The Institute for Music in Human and Social Development (IMHSD)
The IMHSD’s support for Reel Festivals reflects a strong interest in both ethnomusicology and community development work in the geographical region.
Professor Nigel Osborne, one of the two directors of the IMHSD, is known for his pioneering use of music in therapy and rehabilitation for children who are victims of conflict and is consultant for many programmes, including work in the Middle East.
Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Department, University of Edinburgh
IMES is recognised in the UK and internationally as a leading institution for research and undergraduate and postgraduate study.
It offers a wide range of undergraduate degree programmes in Arabic, Persian and Middle Eastern Studies, as well as non-degree training in Turkish.
International Arab Charity
The International Arab Charity aims to help give relief to those in need, to further educational programs and also to promote the better aspects of Arab culture
Visit the International Arab Charity Website
Julia Meltzer
Reel Festivals is very grateful to Julia Meltzer for her support of the Reel Iraq events.
Literature Across Frontiers
Literature Across Frontiers is
- a European platform for literary exchange
- a programme of initiatives
- a network of partner organisations
aiming to advance European cultural exchange in the field of literature and translation through multilateral cooperation encompassing policy research and analysis, publications, translator training and skills development, joint participation in international book fairs, literature festivals and other forums, organisation of larger-scale projects, as well as conferences, seminars and workshops.
Visit the Literature Across Frontiers Website
Music Hall Beirut
Music Hall is a cabaret-style music hall theatre specializing in live entertainment and cultural showbiz. 
It is located at Starco Center on Omar Daouk Street in the city centre of Beirut, Lebanon.
The Music Hall was opened in 2003 by its founder and co-owner Michel Elefteriades who converted an old cinema into a cabaret theatre with a mix of local and foreign acts. With up to twelve artists and bands performing each night, the Music Hall has rapidly become Lebanon’s premier live music venue and one of its
trendiest nightlife spots. The venue’s performing styles focus mainly on World music fusion but also include jazz, pop, ethnic, belcanto, stand-up comedy and other genres.
The Music Hall has been an original, groundbreaking concept and remains a one of a kind night venue in the MENA region. It’s an incredible venue and will be hosting REEL Music 2011.
Pixelapes
Pixelapes are an established web and graphic design company based in Ireland. They live on the web and love building websites that are easy to read, navigate and understand.
Pixelapes provide web design, graphic design and web hosting services.
Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre
The Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre is a small, well-loved cinema situated in a converted eighteenth century listed mill building on the banks
of the River Nith in Dumfries that has been delighting audiences with quality films since it was opened in November 1987. It is run by Dumfries and Galloway Council to show a diverse programme of film, video and television that would not otherwise be available locally.
Visit the Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre Website
Saifi Urban Gardens
Saifi Urban Gardens is a center for urban culture in the heart of Beirut 
set among traditional Lebanese houses and enveloped by beautiful gardens and outdoor spaces. We are very happy to be hosting REEL events including our opening night and poetry events in Saifi Urban Gardens. It will also be the base for our guests while in Lebanon.
Facilities include accommodation for 40 people, cafe, rooftop, Arabic language school, art school, and conference/exhibition/studio spaces.
Visit the Saifi Urban Gardens Website
Scottish Documentary Institute
SDI is an internationally recognised documentary research centre at Edinburgh College of Art specialised in documentary training, production and distribution. It was set up in 2004.
Their aim is to stimulate and inspire the documentary scene in Scotland and beyond through focus on creative excellence and unashamed international outlook.
Scottish Poetry Library
The Scottish Poetry Library is the place for poetry in Scotland, for the regular reader, the serious student or the casual browser.
Since its foundation in 1984 it has amassed a remarkable collection of written works, as well as tapes and videos. The emphasis is on 
contemporary poetry written in Scotland, in Scots, Gaelic and English, but historic Scottish poetry and contemporary works from almost every part of the world feature too.
Visit the Scottish Poetry Library Website
Scottish Writers’ Centre
The centre aims to support and promote the work of Scottish writers and provide an international showcase space for Scottish literature. It will offer a regular programme of live events and workshops, along with activities such as schools programmes, community publishing workshops, literary consultancy and an annual writing fellowship.
Visit the Scottish Writers Centre Website
Stars Hotel
The Stars Hotel and Swedish Village is a beautiful mountain resort is located in the historic town of Shaqlawa across from the famous Safeen mountain range in Iraqi Kurdistan. The resort consists of 30 private Swedish Cabins which include a separate living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. They also have 10 Suits and 23 standards rooms and a Spa facility which has a swimming pool, sauna, fitness centre and massage parlour.
Straight Angle Media
Straight Angle Media is a production company based in Damascus, Syria that renders broadcast media services for news, promotional videos, documentaries, and internet video content.
In addition, Straight Angle Media produces content such as TV programs and short films on a commission and commercial basis for local and international broadcasters, NGOs, and mainstream company sponsors throughout the Middle East region.
Visit the Straight Angle Website
UNHCR
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is an impartial humanitarian organisation mandated by the United Nations to lead and co-ordinate international action for the world-wide protection of refugees and the resolution of refugee problems. Based in Switzerland, UNHCR has two basic and closely related aims: to protect refugees and to seek ways to help them restart their lives in a normal environment.
