Film Sections 2024

A Lullaby Unlike Any Other (Tunisia), Amani Jaafer, 9'

The film follows Nour, a young woman wandering the streets of Stockholm who realizes she has lost something important. Retracing her steps, she hears her sister’s voice recounting their life in Gaza with their brother Shady and grandmother. The narrative shifts to the horrors of war in Gaza, leading to the tragic news that Shady has been killed. Nour found what she had been searching for: her phone, which she had accidentally thrown away.

Doğudan Gelen Hayaletler (Turkey), Ahmet Sami Kuriş, 13'50"

Ammar is an 8-year-old boy who bears the scars of the war. He lost her family in the war and currently lives with her sister as a refugee in Cyprus with his aunt. However, the traumas he experienced in his country do not leave him alone, and the scars of the war call him back.

Hamza: Chasing The Ghost Chasing Me (Palestine), Ward Kayyal, 18'

After his recovery, middle-aged Hamza continuously repeats a habit he began 20 years ago when he was released from Israeli prison: He ventures into the woods to chase the lion that villagers don’t believe exists. Hamza struggles to reach a peaceful place. Despite his wife’s begging and the villagers’ reprehension against him, Hamza sits his baits and traps in the forest, striving for victory over the illusive threat. He finds refuge in his journey from social rejection and denial. In the woods, Hamza is free to act according to his beliefs, fighting his own battle to heal an open wound – the trauma of losing his childhood friend, and the horrific memories of torture and guilt.

Hide & Seek (Palestine, Spain, Turkey, Lebanon, France), Rami Abbas, 7'14"

“Hide & Seek” is an animated short film that narrates the story of a child and his fish on their journey into the unknown, following the raid on the child’s town during the ongoing war ravaging his country. The short film captures the steps of this journey and its transformations, concluding as the child reaches one of the coasts.

I am You (Turkey), Yağmur Telli Yücel, 4'36"

An acrylic painting was created with the help Rad Dar, centering on the Palestinian flag. The flag, composed of red, white, black, and green colors, has been overlaid with the blue and white colors of the Israeli flag. The colors have spread across the surface like bombs, blending together to create a blurred effect on the flag. These fluid and dynamic colors have rendered the flag unrecognizable, revealing various textures. This visual composition is accompanied by the poem ‘I Am You’ by Palestinian poet Refaat Alareer.

In The Waiting Room (Palestine), Moatasem Taha, 15'

In an Israeli hospital waiting room, Hussien a Palestinian 48 (Palestinians with Israeli Citizenship) (30) accompanies his newly widowed mother Rashida (70) to her medical appointment. While Hussien works on his deadline for academic research on his laptop, Rashida, who has not been out of her house for three months tries to socialize with others in her limited Hebrew.

Message (Iran), Saeed Moltaji, 9'9"

A determined female reporter in a war-torn Gaza, facing poor internet conditions, decides to take all her memory cards to her colleague in the news agency building. She hopes he can send the videos. She faces obstacles along the way…

Sessiz Yol (Turkey - England), Merve Çirişoğlu, 8'30"

In wartime, a young woman, with a newborn and three elderly relatives, faces obstacles at the border. Their ox-cart gets stuck near a security post. While their minds were obsessed with the possibility of being apprehended by the enemy, the magic of humanity brought out something unexpected.

Shattered Memory (Palestine), Hayat Laban, 14'

The documentary talks about the memory of photojournalist ‘Mahfouz Abu Turk’ and the archive through which he documented the events he experienced in the city of Jerusalem and the West Bank from the first intifada in 1987 and the events that followed until the end of the nineties.

The Poem We Sang, (Canada-Palestine-Jordan), Annie Sakkab, 20'

The Poem We Sang is a 20-minute, colour and black and white, experimental documentary that meditates on love and longing – the love of one’s family and the longing for one’s home, contemplated through overcoming the trauma of loss of family home and of forced migration, transforming lifelong regrets into a healing journey of creative catharsis and bearing witness.

The Sounds of Clouds (Iran), Mohamad Lotfali, 3'45"

Friday, October 20,2023- The children of Gaze Write their names on their hands so that in case of being killed in Israel’s bombing during the October 7 war with Hamas, rescuers can identify them.

Under Occupation (Jordan), Anas Yahya, 1'32"

In the shade of occupation, this short film unfolds the tale of a Palestinian child, navigating through the labyrinth of occupation’s shadows, where myriad challenges and tribulations punctuate her daily existence. She grapples with the loss of family members and the sanctity of her home, casualties to the ceaseless onslaughts and bombardments by Israeli forces. Witnessing her father’s incarceration under the yoke of the occupation’s arbitrary measures, the film poignantly portrays the indelible imprint of occupation on the lives of Palestinian children. Yet, amidst the bleakness, it captures their unwavering resilience and steadfast hope, defiantly clinging to the promise of a brighter tomorrow despite the formidable odds stacked against them.

Beyaz Dağın Çocukları (Turkey), Yalçın Çiftçi, 20'

We are in a village school in Anatolia during a cold and snowy winter. The village school, located within a cemetery, holds many mysteries.

Crack (Iran), Marziye Feyli, 13’ 19”

Nora, a 16 – year – old student, who won the first stage of the school drawing competition, has been selected to enter the second stage. However, Nora feels anxious and worried about the situation and is looking for an excuse to withdraw from the competition.

Dehliz (Turkey), Eser Tokaş, 11'57"

Ahmet Akten is a tombstone master with half a century of experience. Being on the edge of death has left deep marks on his worldview. The tombstones he decorates with couplets carry the stories of the past into eternity. Through his profession, Ahmet conveys the fragility and value of life, and in the silence of the graves, he has grasped the meaning of life. He sheds light on the mystery behind life.

Emma (Turkey - England), Merve Kuş Mataracı, 29'

While Emma was a high school student in England, she skipped school with her girlfriend to attend a wedding. Her fate changes when she falls in love with a Turkish man named Mehmet, whom she meets at the wedding. When Mehmet, an illegal immigrant, is deported, Emma follows him to Turkey. The documentary tells the story of Emma’s inspiring life in Sarılar village, where she lives with Mehmet and their eight children. It focuses on the ‘deep connection’ she has developed with nature while living in a Turkish village.

Huzur Çiftliği (Turkey), Feyzi Baran, 19'

Mehmet Yüksel has built a world for injured and neglected animals with his own means, and people call this world The Healing Farm.’ Hundreds of injured animals around Turkey are treated at the farm and released into the wild if they can survive on their own; otherwise, they can live freely on this farm for the rest of their lives.

Kafamdaki Polis (Turkey), Erdal Baran Şahin, 19'14"

Taxi driver Eyüp’s most challenging journey begins when he takes a passenger who is on his way to kill his wife. As he drives his car unwillingly, he seeks ways to be safe and just.

Kudüs'ün Işıkları (Turkey), M. Abdülgafur Şahin, 27'

‘Lights of Al-Quds’ presents impressions of a group of Palestinian children’s daily lives. The documentary records 24 hours of a holy day in the holy city. The different perspectives of a social anthropologist, a baker, a traveler, and a teacher reflect the wide world on the narrow streets of the Old City.

Siri Miri (Palestine), Luay Awwad, 5'

Out of boredom, two Palestinian teens ask Siri, a Virtual Assistant, for help. Will it work?

Still Here (Canada, Germany, USA, UK), John Graham, 14'43"

A young Berlin musician receives news that his estranged mother is dying. Once released into his care, they both discover that dying can be beautiful.

The Edge (Persian), Mohammad Reza Golpour, 12'59"

A young girl named Hedyeh, frustrated and tired of life, enters the railway station and during her stop at the station, observing the human relations in today’s world, intensifies her feeling of disgust. This hatred and nausea force her to behave differently and unreasonably, but the presence of a child whose mother is worried about being thrown off the edge of the podium gap, creates new observations and understanding for Hedyeh

The Frost and a Little Schoolboy

Yaren (Turkey), Kaan Güzeltepe, 7'18"

With its fertile waters, Uluabat Lake is a source of livelihood for the villagers around it. In addition to fishing, this lake is also home to a warm human story: The extraordinary friendship between fisherman Adem Yılmaz and a stork named Yaren. Based on this warm story, the documentary draws attention to the diminishing natural beauty over the years.

200 Meter (Palestinian) ,Ameen Nayfeh, 96'

A Palestinian father, trapped on the other side of the separation wall, struggles to reach the hospital where his son awaits.

Orange (Palestine, Poland, France), Mohammed Almughanni, 27'

Mohammed, a young Palestinian, is desperately searching for a taxi to take him through an Israeli checkpoint. When the driver, Farouk, learns that Mohammed has already been turned away at the checkpoint, trouble ensues.

Ayny - My Second Eye (Germany-Palestine), Ahmad Saleh, 10'

A brutal war has robbed two brothers of their home. Their mother nurtures the hope of a new beginning, trying to shield them from the dangers around them. Despite her concerns, the boys remain determined to pursue their childhood dream: to play music on the instrument they’ve come to love – a beautiful oud.

Digital Occupation (Turkey), Nawras bu Saleh, 26'20"

Digital Occupation explores the multifaceted digital control over Palestine, focusing on Israel’s control of communication infrastructure, illegal data collection, and the suppression of Palestinian content on social media. The film highlights Palestinian resistance efforts, showcasing technological innovations and strategic responses to overcome these digital barriers and share their narrative with the world.

Farha (Jordan, Sweden, Saudi Arabia), Darin J. Sallam, 92'

In 1948 Palestine, a 14-year-old girl watches from a locked pantry as catastrophe engulfs her home.

From Ground Zero (Palestinian) , Aws Al-Banna, Ahmed Al-Danf, Basil Al-Maqousi, 115'

From Ground Zero is a collection of 22 short films made in Gaza. Initiated by Palestinian director Rashid Masharawi, the project was created to give a voice to 22 Gazan filmmakers and allow them to tell the untold stories of the ongoing war through film.

Holy Redemption (Israel) , Aslıhan Eker Çakmak, Tanju Şahin, Jose Carlos Soares, 52'

Filmed in the second month of Gaza War “HOLY REDEMPTION” explores the world of radical Israeli settlers on Palestinian lands. Driven by the vision of Greater Israel, these youths follow their leaders blindly.  Through 22 days of interviews with settlers and their leaders, the film uncovers Israel’s new weapons and strategies to displace Palestinians, and reveals surprising allies. This striking documentary offers a unique perspective on the human stories within the never-ending conflict in Palestinian territories, providing viewers with an unparalleled insight into the realities on the ground.

House (Germany, Qatar, Jordan, Palestine), Ahmad Saleh, 4'

A family lived in a spacious, beautiful, and welcoming home for generations. The house’s generosity became a part of their culture, as guests were always warmly invited to enjoy their stay. But one day, a guest arrived with a very different plan.

Maloul (Palestine), Michel Khleifi

Since the declaration of the state of Israel in 1948, countless Palestinian villages have been erased from the map. Ma’Loul Celebrates Its Destruction uses poignant images of bombardments, destroyed buildings, and disfigured people to illustrate this.

Night (Germany, Qatar, Jordan, Palestine), Ahmad Saleh, 16’

Night has to trick the mother of the missing child into sleeping to save her soul.

Nightmare of Gaza (Palestine), Farah Nabulsi , 14'

This haunting, abstract, and experimental narrative follows a woman walking through the streets of Gaza, surrounded by the devastation left by bombings. She has been helping others, but a revelation emerges: she now needs help. The story reflects Gaza’s recurring nightmare.

The Idol (Palestine), Hany Abu-Assad

Mohammed Assaf, an aspiring musician living in Gaza, sets a seemingly impossible goal: to compete on the program “Arab Idol.”

Tale of Three Jewels (Palestine, United Kingdom), Michel Khleifi,112'

A Palestinian boy becomes entranced with a beautiful Gypsy girl and a fairy tale world she weaves amidst conflict in Gaza. The children explore nature, mysticism, and their future while learning to live with the surrounding brutality. Yusef’s family scrapes by in a seaside camp while his father’s in prison and his heavily armed brother’s on the run, dodging Israeli troops. Salah, Yusef’s schoolmate from a well-off Arab family, strives faithfully to assist them. At the same time, Yusef helps an elderly, blind neighbor escape from his lonely abandonment into the North American dreamworld he’s waited so long for.

The Present (Palestine, Qatartar), Farah Nabulsi , 24'

On his wedding anniversary, Yusef and his daughter, Yasmine, set out in the West Bank to buy a gift for his wife. But with soldiers, segregated roads, and checkpoints along the way, how easy could a simple shopping trip be?

Wacib (Palestine, France), Annemarie Jacir, 96'

Abu Shadi, a divorced father and teacher in his 60s, lives in Nazareth. His daughter is preparing for her wedding. He has to live alone until his son, who is an architect and has been living abroad for years, returns from Rome to help with the preparations. Abu Shadi hasn’t seen his son in years and knows little about him. As they begin the wedding preparations, the father and son must visit each guest in person to hand-deliver the invitations, following Palestinian traditions. While spending their days together, their relationship is also put to the test.