SENZA FRONTIERE / Without Borders, is dedicated to show films that embrace our common humanity. We are all caught in political, economic and religious structures that can be divisive and painful. Filmmakers have the opportunity to expose powerful individual stories, which transcend mental and physical borders.

The inspiration for the Senza Frontiere - Without Borders Film Festival, is a documentary by Paul Smaczny “Knowledge Is The Beginning”, about the West-Eastern Divan orchestra. Founded by Edward Said and Daniel Barenboim, the orchestra is made up of students from Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and Palestine. Their countries are at war but these individuals are not. Together they perform Beethoven in Berlin, Sevilla and Ramallah. As the musicians work together and learn about each other, it empowers them personally to imagine another vision for the Middle East. What Daniel Barenboim concludes for the Middle East holds true for all of us: “we either kill each other or share what there is to share.”

We show 15 - 20 films from all genres: features, documentaries, short, experimental and animation films that neither preach nor finger point. Do we need more film festivals? We need this one. “This is the only film festival with a soul”, was Jerry Levitans comment, when he came to Rome in 2008 to present his Oscar nominated short film “I Met The Walrus”.

Each year we focus on a different theme. In 2009 the issue was Iran; in 2010 it was the ownership of Water; in 2011 we address the concept of Home, including displacement and homelessness. In our shrinking world some are homeless, while others have several homes, and often the emotional home is in conflict with the actual physical home. This year’s festival will open with the world premiere of an animated short film written by Yoko Ono along with a documentary decribing the social and creative work of brazilian artist Vik Muniz, entitled Waste Land. We will also be screening “Vision,” the latest film from Margaret Von Trotta, among many others.

After three inspiring years in Rome the Festival will move to Spoleto in Umbria for the 2011 edition, to be part of the prestigious Festivaldei Due Mondi. However, the Festival doesn’t stop there. Satellite events at different locations, keep the program alive throughout the year. For example in the fall 2011 there will be a Without Borders event at Lincoln Centre, in New York, and depending on the budget we raise, the program can travel to San Paolo in Brazil, Karachi, Johannesburg, ... the possibilities are endless.

Our events are financed through individual donations, and we are completely volunteer driven, in fact our friends and friends of friends are our most reliable budget. We all believe in the communicative power of film. After three days at the Senza Frontiere Film Festival, the audience has literally traveled the world and gained detailed insights into complex situations, which can foster compassion and understanding.

THIS IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT EVENT AND WE
DEPEND ON DONTATIONS TO SUPPORT ALL ACTIVITIES.