Join Sundance Institute's FILM FORWARD: Advancing Cultural Dialogue on September 3 - 7 for the free screening of eight films with moderated discussions hosted throughout Tacoma. Filmmakers traveling with the program are Julia Meltzer (The Light in Her Eyes) and Jerry Rothwell (Town of Runners). FILM FORWARD, a partnership of Sundance Institute and four U.S. federal cultural agencies, is a touring program that offers film screenings, workshops and discussions designed to foster dialogue and cross-cultural understanding. It uses the power of cinema to promote broader cultural understanding, inspire curiosity and enhance awareness of shared stories and values across generations, language, education and borders. Here's the film lineup for tonight: Wednesday, September 4, 2013 [cid:image001.jpg@01CEA978.C5F76EA0] Valley of Saints Time: 5 PM Location: University of Puget Sound, 1500 North Warner Street, Thompson Hall 175 Cost: Free Post film discussion: Moderated by Peter Wimberger, Professor of Biology and Director of the Slater Museum of Natural History at University of Puget Sound Valley of Saints<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laeOt19A7SM&feature=youtu.be> Director and screenwriter: Musa Syeed Using Kashmir's picturesque Dal Lake as its backdrop and underpinned by the political unrest in the region, this moving drama explores the relationship between two best friends and the female researcher studying environmental degradation who threatens to distract them from their dreams of escape. [cid:image002.jpg@01CEA978.C5F76EA0] The Light in Her Eyes - special screening with director Julia Meltzer Time: 7 PM Location: The Grand Cinema, 606 South Fawcett Avenue Cost: Free Post film discussion: Julia Meltzer<http://thelightinhereyesmovie.com/about/filmmakers/>, director for The Light in Her Eyes; Dr. Therese Saliba<http://www.evergreen.edu/faculty/instructor/salibat>, Professor of Middle East Studies and international feminism at Evergreen State College; moderated by Dr. David Coon, Associate Professor at University of Washington Tacoma The Light in Her Eyes<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkvSOjgpC7A&feature=youtu.be> Directors: Julia Meltzer and Laura Nix Houda al-Habash, a conservative woman preacher in Damascus, Syria, calls girls to the practice of Islam, teaching them that pursuing their ambitions is a way of worshipping God. Shot right before the uprising in Syria erupted, The Light in Her Eyes offers an extraordinary portrait of a leader who challenges the women of her community to live according to Islam, without giving up their dreams. Naomi Strom-Avila Cultural Arts Specialist City of Tacoma 747 Market Street, Room 900 Tacoma, WA 98402 253.591.5191