The London Palestine Film Festival runs from Friday 3rd May - Friday 15th May 2013 at the Barbican Cinema, SOAS and University College London. Palestine's flourishing arts and culture offerings are sometimes overlooked but thankfully, this festival is redressing the balance as this year is the festivals 16th year for the event.

Although the London Palestine Film Festival pulls together films by directors from across the world, the festival understandably concentrates on work from up and coming Palestinian filmmakers. Film lovers can take part in a multitude of discussions and Q&A sessions about the films also.

Some of the must see films of this year include the 2013 documentary, Flying Paper, which see the children on the Gaza Strip attempt to beat the Guinness World Record for the most kites ever flown. The festival also features films, such as the rarely seen 1981 film, Occupied Palestine, as well as a strand which showcases shorts from the West Bank.

There will be around 40 works screened as part of the London Palestine Film Festival, with current releases sitting alongside classic gems on the programme. Keith Walsh and Jill Beardsworth's 2013 documentary, Apples of the Golan will be screened, while the latest efforts by international artists such as Basma Alsharif and Gaelle Vicherd also to be celebrated.

Alongside the screenings there will also be panel discussions, Q&A sessions, screen talks and interactive debates to enjoy. A conference on Palestine and the Moving Image at the London Middle East Institute, SOAS, also take place throughout the festival, while the Barbican and University of London will also be hosting special events.

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