Part of HUMANSERVE's mandate is to inform the Canadian public about humanitarian aspects of Palestinians and Lebanese in the Middle East. We also endeavour to develop mutual ties with all individuals, groups and organizations interested in the humanitarian aspects of disadvantaged populations in the Middle East. One of the ways we are able to achieve this goal is to organize public engagement activities and to participate in similar activities sponsored by other groups and organizations. Public engagement activities link international development activities with community awareness and education in Canada. By making these links,HUMANSERVE works to facilitate a learning process that will enable Canadians to better understand the nature and importance of global issues. Through public engagement activities, HUMANSERVE encourages Canadians to:
Join us for a special movie screening combination: screening of a feature-length documentary, plus an in-person Q & A with the film's director.
Co-Presented by:
Humanserve International Society for Relief and Development
and Independent Jewish Voices
Regular Metro Cinema admission prices apply. Tickets available online & at the box office.
Director: Amber Fares
1 hr 35 mins | Documentary | English, Arabic and Hebrew
2025 - United States, France
This powerful film offers a bold exploration of identity, conflict, and humour in the face of division.
Noam Shuster Eliassi grew up the literal poster child for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process before making a hard pivot to stand-up comedy and political satire. But as the region sinks deeper into devastating violence, she must meet the moment by challenging her audiences with hard truths that are no laughing matter.
Following the screening, stay for an engaging Q & A with the director, Amber Fares, offering a deeper look into the stories and inspiration behind the film.
Mark your calendar for an evening of insight, conversation, and community.
Amber Fares is a Lebanese-Canadian filmmaker, born and raised in Grand Prairie, Alberta and is known for powerful, character-driven stories that explore identity, justice, and humour in complex realities. She directed the award-winning Speed Sisters (2015) and co-directed The Judge (2017) and We Are Ayenda (2023). Her latest film, Coexistence, My Ass! (2025), earned major honours at Sundance, Thessaloniki, and Full Frame film festivals, including the Sundance World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Freedom of Expression.
Brief remarks by Humanserve will precede the screening. Humanserve board members would love to meet you to answer any questions you may have about our organization and our work overseas. Please consider making a donation to Humanserve that will assist our work that benefits Palestinian and Syrian refugees and disadvantaged Lebanese in the West Bank, Gaza and Lebanon. Your support will also enable Humanserve to continue bringing film and other public engagement initiatives to the Canadian public. Thank-you.
Please check back regularly or subscribe to our eNewsletter for Event announcements.
Please click the button below for information about making a general donation to support Humanserve's ongoing services and programs. Thank-you!
As part of MENAME's 60th Anniversary Concert Season, this concert was a benefit in support of the local-global partnership between Humanserve International and Beit Atfal Assumoud (BAA) in Lebanon. BAA's Music and Heritage Program make music a consistent source of empowerment and cultural preservation for camp-based Palestinian youth.
HSI presented a screening of the Palestinian film, followed by a video-taped "talk-back" with the film's director, Carol Mansour. Before the film, there were information booths and Palestinian pottery and kaffiyehs for sale in the theatre lobby.
HSI presented screenings of 2 short Palestinian films:
The Present - 2020, Directed by Farah Nabulsi, Genre: Drama | 24 mins | Arabic with English subtitles
Ave Maria - 2015, Directed by Basil Khalil, Genre: Comedy | 14 mins | Arabic & Hebrew with English subtitles
The movies were followed by a lively discussion with the audience and a market of Palestinian pottery and olive oil products.
HSI was the sponsor of 2 screenings of this film.
Directed by Nadine Labaki
Written by Nadine Labaki, Jihad Hojeily, Michelle Kesrouani
Starring Zain al Rafeea, Yordanos Shiferaw, Boluwatife Treasure Bankole, Kawthar Al Haddad, Fadi Kamel Youssef, Cedra Izam
HSI was the sponsor of 4 screenings of this film.
Directed by Ziad Doueiri
Written by Joelle Touma, Ziad Doueiri
Starring Adel Karam, Camille Salameh, Kamel El Basha
HSI's third one-day celebration of Palestinian culture with a focus on Food, Art, Film, Dance, Merchandise and Music during the afternoon market bazaar and an evening "Comedy with a Cause" show featuring headliners Dean Obeidallah and Amer Zahr.
HSI's second one-day celebration of Palestinian culture with a focus on Food, Art, Film, Dance, Merchandise and Music during the afternoon market bazaar and an evening Comedy with a Cause show featuring headliners Maysoon Ziyad and Aron Kader.
HSI's inaugural one-day celebration of Palestinian culture with a focus on Food, Art, Film, Dance, Merchandise and Music during the afternoon market bazaar and an evening Hip Hop Concert featuring headliner Shadia Mansour, international artists Mazzi, G.O. and DJ Vega Benetton and local talent People's Poets, AOK, and Cousin.
HSI President Vanessa Ali and board member Nathan Deisman presented a lecture and Power Point presentation on Gaza, West Bank and Lebanon Development and Relief Projects, an overview of HSI's work in the region.
HSI President Vanessa Ali was a guest key note speaker at an event hosted by Queen Elizabeth High School students.
HSI President Vanessa Ali gave an impromptu speech at rally sponsored by the Edmonton Coalition Against War and Racism (ECAWAR) held to call for a cease fire and to protest Israel's bombardment of Lebanon. See the YouTube video.
HSI President Vanessa Ali was a guest key note speaker at a fundraising event hosted by Children of Islamic Nations (COIN).
HSI President Vanessa Ali presented a paper at a panel forum hosted by the Alberta Anti-Racism and Decolonization Network.
HSI President Vanessa Ali participated in The War on Terror vs. the War on Poverty, a panel discussion forum on the contradictions between the security and development agendas of the Canadian government.
HSI President Vanessa Ali presented a talk and Power Point rresentation on The Wall in Palestine. The talk examined the destruction, devastation and socio-economic impacts on the lives of the indigenous people of Palestine who are living in the shadow of Israel’s “security” barrier.
HSI President Vanessa Ali presented a talk and Power Point presentation on the history of Palestine and current events leading up to the Intifada.
HSI sponsored the screening of Ford Transit by Palestinian filmmaker Hany Abu-Assad.
HSI President Vanessa Ali was a guest key note speaker at an event hosted by Citizens for Public Justice and KAIROS.
HSI sponsored the screening of Gaza Strip by filmmaker James Longley.
HSI sponsored a talk by guest speakers Mr. Younis Al-Khatib, President of the Palestine Red Crescent Society and Shane Dabrowski, Firefighter/Paramedic with the Fort MacMurray Fire Department. Mr. Al-Khatib was not given permission to travel by the Israeli Authorities, so he joined us via live audio-link. Mr. Dabrowski had volunteered for 6 months as an EMS worker with the PRCS in the West Bank, and was the incident commander at the site of the Jenin refugee camp. Co-sponsored by the U of A SU Revolutionary Speakers Series.
HSI President Vanessa Ali presented a talk and Power Point show on the history of Palestine and current events leading up to the Intifada.
HSI hosted the filmmaker Rashid Masharawi and screened his film Live From Palestine. We also had a silent auction of Palestinian art and handicrafts.
HSI sponsored the screening of Frontiers of Dreams & Fears (Ahlam El-Manfa) by Palestinian filmmaker Mai Masri.
HSI volunteers manned a display table at the event; a gathering of human rights, peace, social action and environmental organizations. Hosted by the International Society for Peace & Human Rights (ISPHR).
HSI members and supporters handed out RED, BLACK, WHITE and GREEN (colours of the Palestinian flag) balloons with a brief statement attached to passers-by. This local action was mounted in solidarity with Orient House in East Jerusalem which was held under siege by the Israeli Authorities.
Site designed, built and managed by
Ali Cat Graphics
© 2021-2026 Humanserve International
All Rights Reserved