As a producer, my goal is to make films that convey an alternative vision of Palestine and the Arab world, showing the diversity of the region and its human stories. Casting is such a film. While the story is inspired by Tarzan and Arab’s experiences of making films in Gaza, this project has a symbolic depth that allows its messages of protecting intellectual diversity and freedom of expression to work on a universal level. This quality is key, because it is what functions as the bridge in the development of greater understanding between people and cultures. Casting fits extraordinarily well with the profile and overall development strategy of the production company. In fact the company was founded, in part, to provide a structure and a banner under which Tarzan and Arab and I could work together as a creative triad following our initial meeting in the summer of 2012. Made in Palestine Project was launched in February 2013 as an independent initiative to create and promote contemporary film and visual art with a focus on Palestine. We seek to support the creativity of emerging visual artists and create new opportunities for the next generation of Arab creators. The company is committed to reaching new audiences and widening the global perspective on Palestine through a spectrum of cultural platforms including films, exhibitions and publications. As an independent feature film project promoting strong artistic expression by young, emerging regional cultural producers, Casting is a great first feature film for the company. The film is currently in the final stages of development and fundraising and we have secured French co-production. Our co-producer, Incognita, is a subsidiary of one of France’s leading production companies, Europacorp. This production partnership is built on our shared objective to submit the film to a major international film festival in 2014. In terms of feasibility enhancers going into the production stage, our fundraising capacities have recently seen an immense boost from the buzz being generated by our first short film, Condom Lead (also written and directed by Tarzan and Arab), which was selected to compete for the Short Film Palme D’Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. The announcement has stirred interest amongst international (particularly European and Arab Gulf) partners and created greater industry credibility for the company within the independent film sector. Casting’s natural audience is an international one that appreciates the independent art film genre with its character-driven stories and global perspective (think of the audience for Kusturica’s Black Cat, White Cat, for example). The film will be shot in Arabic, but we intend for its distinct cinematographic style, universal story and message, high production values; and unique, colourful characters to transcend cultural limitations, increase global audience appeal and expand the regional and international potential of the project. Our co-producer has already contacted several major French and international sales and distribution companies and we expect to finalise an agreement in the upcoming months.