Palestine Film Institute Calls for Decision-Makers to Amplify Palestinian Filmmakers’ Voices at Cannes Docs Showcase

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Today at the Cannes Docs Palestine presentation, four works-in-progress were presented to industry professionals. Representatives from the Palestine Film Institute (PFI) urged Cannes and influential figures to boost the voices of Palestinian filmmakers, as the ongoing conflict in Gaza exacerbates an extraordinary humanitarian predicament.

As a passionate advocate for Palestinian storytelling, I, Mohamed Jabaly – the IDFA-winning director behind “Life is Beautiful” and “Ambulance,” and the curator of the Palestine Documentary Hub at PFI – spoke with EbMaster. I expressed that Cannes Docs offers an essential stage where our authentic narratives can emerge, moving beyond sensational headlines and defying imposed limitations. The potent medium of documentary filmmaking empowers us to convert constraints into liberation during a time when combating distortion and reclaiming our voices is more crucial than ever.

Speaking on behalf of PFI, program consultant Mohanad Yaqubi, the producer, expressed that the Palestine Pavilion’s comeback to Cannes (having debuted in 2018) symbolizes the power of artistic resilience and the potency of unquiet creative voices. It is crucial for influential film festivals like Cannes to provide a platform for Palestinian artists to participate in cinematic discussions during our ongoing battle against attempted obliteration, which is part of an ongoing genocide, he emphasized.

At the Lerins 4 event during the Marché du Film, Jabaly and Yaqubi gratefully acknowledged the organizers of Cannes Docs for their enduring collaboration. “This is our 7th joint project, and we are deeply appreciative of Cannes Docs’ consistent backing,” they expressed.

As a follower of Cannes Docs, I’ve been part of the tradition since 2018 to showcase documentaries-in-progress from Palestine and the diaspora. It’s a crucial role for us to amplify these stories and safeguard all Palestinian narratives. Today, this mission is more significant and pressing than ever before, as we strive to give visibility to these vital tales.

Today, we featured four documentaries from debut filmmakers: “Wolf Game” by Patricia El, “My Rebel Heart” by Ida Kat Balslev, “Sama” by Rabab Khamis, and “Asphalt” by Hamza Hamideh. This selection was made by an independent jury consisting of Francesco Gai Via, Venice Film Festival programmer and industry expert, Rasha Salti, Arte France’s experimental documentary specialist, and Keisha Nicole Knight, founder of Solidarity Media Network.

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Four first-time filmmakers’ documentaries showcased today – “Wolf Game” by Patricia El, “My Rebel Heart” by Ida Kat Balslev, “Sama” by Rabab Khamis and “Asphalt” by Hamza Hamideh – were chosen for presentation by a jury panel that included Francesco Gai Via (Venice Film Festival programmer and industry expert), Rasha Salti (Arte France’s experimental documentary specialist) and Keisha Knight (founder of Solidarity Media Network).

Elhum Shakerifar, a London-based producer and curator known as Hakawati, who was Bafta-nominated for “A Syrian Love Story,” commented on the four projects chosen for Cannes, saying, “These projects offer distinct perspectives on the Palestinian experience and have the potential to become powerful, cinematic pieces that will resonate with a broad audience.” She also emphasized the recent achievements of documentaries supported by the PFI, such as “A State of Passion” by Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi (Palestinian/Jordanian) which was showcased at Cairo, Geneva’s Forum on Human Rights, and Sheffield festivals among others, and “The Palestine Comedy Club” by Alaa Aliabdallah (Palestine/UK), handled by First Hand Films, which was presented at the Cannes Docs Palestine Showcase last year.

I’m captivated by the fact that each of these four films boasts the support of esteemed producers and filmmakers like Rashid Masharawi, a Palestinian producer from “From Ground Zero,” and Sidsel Lønvig Siersted, a Danish producer for “Apolonia, Apolonia.

2025 Palestine Doc Showcase

“Asphalt,” (Hamza Hamideh, Jordan)

The movie is created by Mahmoud Massad, a multi-talented producer and cameraman from Jordan and the Netherlands, who won at Sundance for the movie “Recycle.

In the midst of the intensifying conflict in Gaza, a 20-year-old refugee named Debs, originally from Baqa’a camp in Jordan, yearns for marrying his beloved. However, he must delay their wedding due to the consecutive deaths of his relatives back in Gaza.

The director stated that he decided to film his movie within Baqa’a camp, one of the largest globally often perceived as a grim ghetto. However, he has ties there personally. He aimed to present an alternative view of this place through his work. The film, currently in post-production, is expected to be released in 2026.

“My Rebel Heart,” (Ida Kat Balslev, Denmark, Palestine)

Renowned Danish film producer Sidsel Lønvig Siersted from Siersted Film, known for critically acclaimed movies like “Apolonia, Apolonia,” a double winner at the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) in 2022, and “Aquarela” distributed by Sony Classics, is spearheading this project during its pre-production phase.

The movie is based in Gaza and focuses on Yara, a young actress and advocate, as she maneuvers the intricate dance between her creative aspirations and her struggle for Palestinian freedom.

Yara strives for global peace and the freedom to live as a Palestinian woman, actress, sibling, and daughter. However, she encounters obstacles from all directions since she was born in Jaffa (Israel) and resides in Ramallah (a city within the West Bank). Her Israeli citizenship prevents her from fully realizing her intended identity. The film’s director, an emerging talent in movie-making, sees Yara’s internal conflicts as a reflection of the central conflict in the movie.

In the movie, we trace her journey with her mother and sister, and these relationships serve as the heart-warming centerpiece. We witness three generations of women grappling with a world that is persistently reshaping them. I aim to acknowledge this resilient spirit and the bravery required to stay true to oneself, to one’s voice and truth, which brings us a step closer to a more empathetic society,” she noted.

Siersted said she aims to deliver the film in 2026.

“Sama,” (Rabab Khamis, Palestine, France)

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’ve just had the pleasure of reviewing a film that boasts the support of renowned Palestinian producer Rashid Masharawi – a man whose past projects include this year’s Oscar-shortlisted masterpiece, “From Ground Zero,” which was distributed in the US by Watermelon Pictures. This upcoming project promises to be equally captivating!

At the Cannes Docs event, a video link was used by Khamis based in Gaza to present a touching documentary about Sama (10 years old). The film captures various aspects of her daily life, including tasks such as gathering plastic and cardboard, and selling fuel. The filmmakers at Cannes mentioned that the movie will be primarily without dialogue, a choice made to honor the main character who preferred not to speak on camera.

The film’s premiere is slated for September 2025.

“Wolf Game,” (Patricia El, Palestine, U.S., Spain)

Film professional and artist Patricia El, based in Spain or the U.S., has showcased her work at various film festivals. Her 2023 virtual reality documentary titled “Remember This Place” will debut at the Venice Biennale as a premiere. “Wolf Game,” produced under her own label, The Office for Public Therapy Politics, is one of her latest projects.

When conversing with EbMaster, El clarified that “Wolf Game” is intended to illustrate the infrastructure and financial streams fueling the colonization of Palestinian land. This is conveyed through three interconnected stories: one follows a Palestinian shepherd boy as the central character, another introduces a settler boy who assumes the role of a shepherd in order to claim Palestinian land, and lastly, it tells the tale of a Los Angeles-based crypto game enthusiast playing ‘Wolf Game,’ a digital game where players are incentivized to amass virtual land and sheep at the cost of other players within the game.

Delivery of the film is set for June 2026.

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2025-05-20 13:48