Palestinian Film Festival
The Nottingham Palestinian Film Festival is here to showcase the rich culture and stories of Palestine through the lens of talented filmmakers. Join us for a festival featuring thought-provoking contemporary films that explore the everyday challenges Palestinians face due to the Israeli occupation, the exile many endure, and their resilience and boundless creativity in striving to live a life of dignity.
Refreshments will be provided with delicious vegan catering provided by Nottingham's Syrian Vegan. If you have any dietary requirements, please contact our Communities Programmer Holly Tea by emailing htea@nottinghamcontemporary.org and copying in info@nottinghamcontemporary.org
Please note: All movies are rated 15 with English subtitles.
Please do feel free to come and go as you need to - there is no obligation to stay throughout. If you need to speak to somebody at any point, please do find a member of Nottingham Contemporary staff who will be highlighted to you on the day.
This event is orangised by Nottingham Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC).
Schedule for the day
10am - Doors open
10.30am - 10.45am - Welcome (15 mins)
Session One: Acts of Freedom (1hr 50 mins)
10.45am – 11am - Film: Walls Cannot Keep Us From Flying (2019) (13 mins)
11am – 12.15pm Film: One More Jump (2019) (73 mins)
12.15pm - 12.35pm - Discussion - Acts of freedom (20 mins)
12.35pm - 1.15pm - Break (40 mins)
Session Two: Life in Palestine (2hrs)
1.15pm - 2.55pm - Film: Wajib (2017) (96 mins)
2.55pm - 3.15pm - Discussion - Life under occupation (20 mins)
3.15pm – 3.45pm - Break (30 mins)
Session Three: Exile (2hrs)
3.45pm – 5.25pm - Film: It Must Be Heaven (2019) (97 mins)
5.25pm – 5.45pm - Discussion - Exile (20 mins)
6pm - Doors close
The Films
Walls Cannot Keep Us From Flying (2021) Dir. Jonathan Mehring
Omar and Yasmeen are determined to make a difference in their West Bank communities. They both face the obstacles of the Israeli occupation, and both have a need to make the best of life as they know it. They do this by riding their skateboards, but that is just the beginning. They are both instructors at a local summer camp called SkateQilya. Through their love of skateboarding, they challenge the barriers set by both the occupation and their own society.
One More Jump (2019) Dir. Emanuele Gerosa
The documentary tells the mirroring stories of Jehad and Abdallah, two Palestinian athletes who grew up together in the Gaza Strip. In 2005 they founded the Gaza Parkour Team to offer the younger generations an alternative to the war. Despite their shared past, the two young men’s choices have divided them for years. Today, more than ever, they need to find out how to lead to freedom someone who, like them, was born in prison.
Wajib (2017) Dir. Annemarie Jacir
Abu Shadi is a divorced father and a school teacher in his mid-60s living in Nazareth. After his daughter’s wedding in one month, he will be living alone. Shadi, his architect son, arrives from Rome after years abroad to help his father in hand-delivering the wedding invitations as per local Palestinian custom. As the estranged pair spend the day together, the tense details of their relationship come to a head challenging their fragile and very different lives.
It Must Be Heaven (2019) Dir. Elia Suleiman
In 2019 Elia Suleiman escapes from Palestine seeking an alternative homeland, only to find that Palestine is trailing behind him. The promise of a new life turns into a comedy of errors: however far he travels, from Paris to New York, something always reminds him of home.
This event is organised by Nottingham Palestinian Solidarity Campaign. All profits from the festival will go to two organisations that do an amazing job in West Bank and Gaza - The Freedom Theatre, Jenin and Defence For Children International - Palestine.
Nottingham Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (PSC) is a community of people working together for peace, equality, and justice and against racism, occupation, and colonisation. PSC are the biggest organisation in the UK dedicated to securing Palestinian human rights, bringing people from all walks of life together to campaign for Palestinian rights and freedom.
The Freedom Theatre is a theatre and cultural centre in Jenin refugee camp, Palestine. Since 2006, The Freedom Theatre have made theatre and visual art available to every young person in Jenin refugee camp. Their work has made Jenin refugee camp known in Palestine and internationally for innovative, thought-provoking theatre and media productions. They have created a generation of artists and leaders who one day will be at the forefront of the Palestinian liberation movement.
Defense for Children International - Palestine (DCIP) is an independent Palestinian organisation dedicated to defending and promoting the rights of children living in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. Since 1991, they have investigated, documented, and exposed grave human rights violations against children, provided legal services to children in urgent need, held Israeli and Palestinian authorities accountable to universal human rights principles, and advocated at international and national levels to advance access to justice and protection for children.
Syrian Vegan - After noticing the success of her animal free catering, Manal Rawaeh set up Syrian Vegan with the aim to share delicious Syrian flavours through completely plant-based Vegan delicacies.
Access
Please note this event is for audiences aged 15 and over.
Please contact our Communities Programmer Holly Tea by emailing htea@nottinghamcontemporary.org and copying in info@nottinghamcontemporary.org if you have any dietary requirements.
Tickets cost £20 or £15 for concessions. Free carer tickets are available with paid for tickets.
Find information about getting here and our building access and facilities here.
This event will be held in The Space.
Speakers will use microphones.
This event is wheelchair accessible.
If you have any questions around access or have specific access requirements we can accommodate, please get in touch with us by emailing info@nottinghamcontemporary.org and copying in our Communities Programmer Holly Tea htea@nottinghamcontemporary.org or phoning 0115 948 9750.