Director Of Oscar Nominated Documentary To Discuss Film At Fundraiser/Screening

"Promises" is an Academy Award nominated film that focuses on seven Palestinian & Israeli children. Each child offers dramatic, emotional, and sometimes hilarious perspectives on issues that lie at the heart of the Middle East conflict. There will be a screening March 19 in Los Angeles.

B.Z. Goldberg, director of "Promises" will be in attendance at the March 19th screening of this film to discuss its making. "Promises" is a nominee of the 74th Annual Academy Awards in the Best Documentary category, as well as an international award-winner. The Middle East Peace Network which sponsors the event will donate profits from this timely screening to benefit children in Israel and Palestinian Authority through www.SchoolsOnLine.org. This uplifting movie explores the complex relationships between seven Israeli and Palestinian children living 20 minutes apart in Jerusalem without focusing on the tough political aspect. These children range in age from 9-13 and speak honestly without the self-censorship that comes with age.

"Promises" was made over the course of four years. Filmmakers, B.Z. Goldberg and Justine Shapiro were welcomed into the daily lives of these families, allowing for complete trust and comfort, which translates eloquently to the screen. One purpose of this film is to serve as a tool to prepare future generations of Israelis & Palestinians for the challenges of peacemaking. The film is sprinkled with humor, irony, but most of all hope. Now more than ever, only the children can take this world in their hands for lasting change. Peace is possible.

Sponsored by the nonprofit Middle East Peace Network, a screening of the international award-winning documentary, "Promises" will be held March 19, 2002 at the Skirball Cultural Center at 2701 N. Sepulveda Drive. The reception begins at 7:00 p.m. The screening is at 7:30 p.m., with a discussion to follow. Tickets are $30 and reservations are required. Please RSVP by telephone, (818) 325-8988 or via email, PROMISESrsvp@yahoo.com. Purchase tickets on line at www.ticketweb.com or call 800-866-468-3399. Also in attendance will be entrepreneur, Kamran Elahian, founder of Cirrus and Neomagic, talking about his effort to connect remote schools around the world to the internet, specifically in Israel and in the Palestinian Authority.