San Francisco, California October 30, 2003 - Ngawang Choephel, a Tibetan ex-political prisoner, will be showing his film and speaking on November 15th at 8pm, at Fort Mason, San Francisco. Donations are $20-$100 and proceeds from the benefit go to support Ngawang's film project and to cover the costs associated with the event. The Bay Area Friends of Tibet and the Tibet Justice Center are co-sponsors of the event.

Ngawang was a Fulbright Scholar, falsely charged with espionage by the Chinese government while recording folk music in Tibet, sentenced to eighteen years, imprisoned for six and released in 2002. He is currently seeking support for his film.

Ngawang Choephel will offer a special preview of his film, "Through the Hollow Bamboo: Tibet in Song," narrated by Richard Gere. Ngawang will sing and speak about his experiences. His film examines the causes of decay of Tibetan culture in Chinese-occupied Tibet, and documents and preserves remaining oral and cultural traditions.

Tenzin Tethong, of Palo Alto & former Chairman of the Cabinet of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, will also speak during the program in support of Ngawang's film project.

The Ngawang Choephel benefit will directly follow BAFoT's 18th Annual Tibet Day, a cultural fair which will feature Tibetan cuisine, informative lectures, slide shows, panel discussions and performances of Tibetan music and dance from 11-6 pm at Fort Mason, San Francisco. Donation: $10 adults, $5 children under 12 and seniors.

ABOUT BAY AREA FRIENDS OF TIBET
Founded in 1983, BAFoT is a non-sectarian, non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization and is the US West Coast's original Tibet support group. BAFoT educates the public about Tibet and the Tibetan people; organizes grassroots projects and events to benefit Tibetans locally and internationally. BAFoT organizes events in cooperation with local Tibetan groups including the Tibetan Association of Northern California, San Francisco Tibetan Youth Congress, Dalai Lama Foundation, Tibet Justice Center, Tibetan Nuns Project, Committee of 100 for Tibet, and Students for a Free Tibet.