MORE ABOUT HURDLE
Hurdle provides an inspiring and visceral look at the next generation of Palestinian youth living in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The characters, separated from one another and living in the shadow of the Israeli separation wall, are united in their pursuit for self-determination. In an unexpected turn, the characters utilize the sport of parkour and the documentation of daily as tools to attain personal and political freedom. In a world with towering walls and constrictive checkpoints, the characters must bury self-doubt in order to lead their communities through a dramatic year of political and violent conflict.
With breathtaking visuals, amazing access and action-packed scenes, Hurdle provides an edge-of-your-seat look at an old conflict in the new era. From gunshot wounds and arrests, to brotherhood and faith, the film navigates the politics of the region through the first-hand experience of the characters, revealing a deeply personal and human investigation of the lives of the Muslim youth of Palestine. As walls fill the global conversation and the politics of Israel and Palestine shift in the Trump era, Hurdle gives audiences a timely and important look at two individuals striving to overcome obstacles to their freedom.
About the filmmakers:
Michael Rowley - Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Editor || Dallas, TX
Michael Rowley is an emerging documentary filmmaker who has worked in the commercial film
industry for nearly a decade. Founding the film production company Fold Studios in 2012,
Rowley has demonstrated the ability to apply his technical skill and honest approach to
transform challenging subject matter into impactful narratives. The result has been partnerships
with NGO’s focused on conflict resolution, Grammy-Nominated artists and human rights
organizations with international impact. Hurdle will be his documentary feature directorial
debut. Rowley co-founded Theo Media, LLC in 2016 and currently resides in Dallas, Texas.
Remoy Philip - Producer || Brooklyn, NY
Remoy Philip is a New York City based editorial journalist and creative producer. His work has
taken him around the globe telling stories of underserved and marginalized people groups,
resulting in humanization and audience activism. Philip co-founded Theo Media, LLC in 2016.
Andrew Brown – Producer || Dallas, TX
Andrew Brown is a Dallas-based marketing and business professional. He is the winner of 7 Telly awards for his
work as a director and producer.
PREVIOUS SCREENINGS:
APRIL 12, 2019 || DALLAS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - HURDLE WORLD PREMIERE, NOMINEE BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
APRIL 16, 2019 || DALLAS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
May 11, 2019 || AMARILLO ARTSFEST FILM SHOWCASE - AMARILLO TX PREMIERE - SOLD OUT
MAY 24 2019 || MOUNTAINFILM FESTIVAL - TELLURIDE, CO - COLORADO PREMIERE - SOLD OUT, NOMINEE BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
MAY 26 2019 || MOUNTAINFILM FESTIVAL - TELLURIDE, CO - SOLD OUT
MAY 31, 2019 || NEW HAVEN DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL - NEW HAVEN, CT - NEW ENGLAND PREMIERE - SOLD OUT
AUGUST 9, 2019 || MONMOUTH FILM FESTIVAL - RED BANK, NJ - WINNER BEST FILM TRAILER AWARD, NOMINEE BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
OCTOBER 8, 2019 || PALESTINE CINEMA DAYS - 6:00 PM (Municipal Theater / Ramallah City Hall) RAMALLAH WEST BANK, PALESTINE - INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE || NOMINEE - SUNBIRD AWARD DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
OCTOBER 10, 2019 || TULSA AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL - 8:30 PM (Circle Cinema Theater 4) TULSA, OKLAHOMA - OKLAHOMA PREMIERE
OCTOBER 12, 2019 || SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM FESTIVAL - 6:00 PM (University Heights Center) SEATTLE, WA - WASHINGTON PREMIERE, CLOSING NIGHT FILM - WINNER GOLD JURY PRIZE FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM
OCTOBER 20, 2019 || BOSTON PALESTINE FILM FESTIVAL - 11:30 AM BOSTON, MA - MASSACHUSETTS PREMIERE
NOVEMBER 13, 2019 || DOC NYC - 9:30 PM NEW YORK, NY - NEW YORK PREMIERE
NOVEMBER 15, 2019 || KENDAL MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL - KENDAL, UNITED KINGDOM - EUROPEAN PREMIERE - SPECIAL JURY PRIZE (SOLD OUT)
NOVEMBER 17, 2019 || KENDAL MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL - KENDAL, UNITED KINGDOM - SPECIAL JURY PRIZE (SOLD OUT)
NOVEMBER 22, 2019 || HUMANDOC INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - WARSAW, POLAND - POLAND PREMIERE
NOVEMBER 23, 2019 || HUMANDOC INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - WARSAW, POLAND - POLAND PREMIERE
NOVEMBER 30, 2019 || 48MM FESTIVAL- 7:00 PM (TEL AVIV CINEMATHEQUE) TEl AVIV, ISRAEL
DECEMBER 8, 2019 || BRISTOL PALESTINE FILM FESTIVAL - 8:00 PM (THE CUBE) BRISTOL, UK - CLOSING NIGHT FILM
JANUARY 23, 2020 || UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS DALLAS BY UTD STUDENTS FOR JUSTICE IN PALESTINE - 7:00 PM (SU GALAXY ROOM)
JANUARY 25, 2020 || REEL PALESTINE FILM FESTIVAL - 8:00 PM (CINEMA AKIL, ALSERKAL AVENUE) DUBAI, U.A.E. - CLOSING NIGHT FILM, U.A.E. PREMIERE
FEBRUARY 15, 2020 || BEST OF THE FEST (SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM FESTIVAL) - 6:30PM (MAGIC LANTERN) SPOKANE, WA - FREE SCREENING - WITH OSCAR WINNER “LEARNING TO SKATEBOARD IN A WARZONE (IF YOU’RE A GIRL)
MARCH 3, 2020 || “TALK AND TASTE” HOSTED BY GOODWORK - 6PM (GOODWORK) DALLAS, TX
SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 || PLEN-AIR SOIREE DE SOUTIEN AU FESTIVAL CINE-PALESTINE, BASILIQUE SAINT-DENIS, FRENCH PREMIERE , PARIS FRANCE
SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 || AMERICAN DOCUMENTARY AND ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL, PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, CALIFORNIA PREMIERE
SEPTEMBER 26, 2020 || TORONTO PALESTINE FILM FESTIVAL, TORONTO CANADA, CANADIAN PREMIERE
OCTOBER 6, 2020 || SOUTHARTS SOUTHERN CIRCUIT TOUR OF INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS, OXFORD COLLEGE OF EMORY UNIVERSITY, OXFORD GEORGIA, GEORGIA PREMIERE
OCTOBER 6, 2020 || SOUTHARTS SOUTHERN CIRCUIT TOUR OF INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS, PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE, CLINTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA PREMIERE
OCTOBER 6, 2020 || SOUTHARTS SOUTHERN CIRCUIT TOUR OF INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS, GLOBAL EDUCATION CENTER, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, TENNESSEE PREMIERE
OCTOBER 12, 2020 || SOUTHARTS SOUTHERN CIRCUIT TOUR OF INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS, GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, STATESBORO, GEORGIA
OCTOBER 13, 2020 || SOUTHARTS SOUTHERN CIRCUIT TOUR OF INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS, CLAYTON CENTER FOR THE ARTS, MARYVILLE COLLEGE, MARYVILLE, TENNESEE
DECEMBER 18, 2020 || MINNESOTA AMERICAN MUSLIMS FOR PALESTINE, ONLINE EVENT, MINNESOTA PREMIERE