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The Syria Film Festival (SYFF), a registered non-profit, was founded in 2015 by activists drawn together by their sense of responsibility to spread the word about the struggle for freedom in Syria. SYFF’s founders looked to film as a universal language to invite more diverse conversation about Syria and its rich history and culture. The festival’s debut was in November 2015 with 3 screenings at the Art Gallery of Ontario’s Jackman Hall.
SYFF’s vision is to showcase the aspirations and convey the struggles of Syrians. Our mission is to build bridges, inspire conversations and engage the audience in thoughtful debates on social justice, human rights and global citizenship. We strive to support young talents in film and arts and enrich Toronto’s vibrant multicultural identity.
Syria is the home of ancient civilizations. Its capital, Damascus, is the oldest continually inhabited city in the world. Today, Syria is the center of a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
Syrian artists, intellectuals, and filmmakers lived under suffocating censorship for over four decades. After the Syrian uprising began over four years ago, Syrian artists began to find spaces to practice their art. Today, Syrian filmmakers, risk their lives and sometimes the lives of their loved ones to capture important footage and document otherwise untold stories.
As Syria loses the spotlight in international headlines but continues to be battleground with no justice in sight, we are reminded of the importance of our cause. We must give voice to the stories of incredible individuals who are presented as faceless numbers and statistics in the news.
SYFF is proud to have worked in collaboration with TIFF, The British High Commission, Global Affairs Canada, and Khouri Conversations.
SYFF is also grateful to our valued co-presenters during our film festivals which include: Syria Kids Foundation, Canadian Arab Institute, Ali Mustafa Memorial Collective, IDRF, Jayu Film Festival, HotDocs, Amnesty International, UOSSM, Toronto Palestine Film Festival, No One is Illegal Toronto, Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture, Cinema Politica, and The Syrian Canadian Foundation.
