Article | The Skoll Foundation

Sir Ben Kingsley and Delegation Set to Attend World Premiere of Arabic-Dubbed Version of the Oscar Award-Winning Epic Film ``Gandhi''

RAMALLAH, Palestine--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 5, 2005--The "Gandhi Project" (www.GandhiProject.org) will launch tomorrow, Wednesday April 6th at 4:00pm in the Ramallah Cultural Palace with the screening of the epic film "Gandhi" (winner of 9 Oscars including Best Picture). Working with Palestinian voice actors and artists, the film was dubbed into Arabic by the award-winning Palestinian director Hanna Elias. The Ramallah event will be followed by screenings in Jerusalem on April 7th, Bethlehem on April 9th and Gaza on April 14th. The April launch in Palestine will be followed in May by screenings in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

The "Gandhi Project" aims to support Palestinian civil society organizations engaged in activities consistent with the liberation philosophy and life practice of Gandhi who stood against occupation through peaceful resistance and civil disobedience. With the screening of the film "Gandhi," the project kick-starts a series of activities and programs to empower civil society and community based organizations in advancing their goals of peaceful resistance, self-reliance, economic development and local empowerment. In the Palestinian Territories, the film will be shown in many cities, refugee camps, and villages. In addition to the screenings, the Gandhi Project will provide direct support to relevant educational and community and economic development projects.

Prior to the first official screening of the film "Gandhi" in Ramallah, a press conference will be held on April 6th from 1:00-3:00pm at the Grand Park Hotel to announce the launching of the project and to provide information regarding the long-term objectives of the Gandhi Project. Invited to the official screening at 4:00pm of the same day are many Palestinians from all segments of society including leaders from local communities and several ministers of the Palestinian Government. Both the press conference and the official opening of the project will be attended by Sir Ben Kingsley, who won the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Gandhi in the film, Mr. Jake Eberts the producer of the film, and Palestinian director Mr. Hanna Elias who oversaw the dubbing of the movie into Arabic. Also in attendance will be project sponsors Mr. Jeff Skoll (founder of the Skoll Foundation, the media company "Participant Productions" and founding president of eBay) and Mr. Kamran Elahian, Silicon Valley entrepreneur and founder of Global Catalyst Foundation.

The Gandhi Project is a collaborative program of a collective of Palestinian NGOs and Relief International - Schools Online (RI-SOL) (www.ri.org and www.SchoolsOnline.org). The project is sponsored by the Skoll Foundation (www.SkollFoundation.org) and the Global Catalyst Foundation (www.Global-Catalyst.org).

Contact:

For The "Gandhi Project"
Naser Al-Ardah, 972 59 673 757 cell
972 59 582 896 backup cell
or mPRm Public Relations
Michael Lawson or Mark Pogachefsky, 323-933-339

Gandhi Project to Launch in the Palestinian Territories Tomorrow