The **Palestine Film Institute** (PFI) has announced the first recipients of the newly established **Palestine Film Fund** (PFF), allocating a total of **€45,000** (approximately **$53,000**) to support nine film projects that showcase authentic Palestinian narratives. This funding initiative, launched at the **Cannes Film Festival** in 2022, aims to foster diverse storytelling from Palestinian filmmakers.
The inaugural round of funding encompasses six feature-length films and three short films, all of which explore themes such as displacement, memory, resistance, and resilience. These narratives reflect the unique experiences of Palestinian individuals and communities. The PFI received an overwhelming response, with **167 projects** submitted by filmmakers worldwide, comprising **74** feature-length films and **93** short films.
Among the selected projects, notable titles include the documentary **+477 Night**, which offers a poignant portrayal of life in Gaza, and **The Story of the Mountain**, a film that follows children in **Hebron** dreaming of a world without checkpoints. Another significant entry is **Three Days and a Third**, a family drama set in Lebanon’s **Bekaa Valley**, directed by **Rakan Mayasi**, known for his acclaimed short film **Bonboné**.
Reem Shadid, a member of the PFI Executive Board, emphasized the importance of this funding initiative. “The overwhelming response to our first call demonstrates both the urgent need for this fund and the incredible creative breadth of Palestinian storytelling happening globally,” she stated. The projects selected for funding are pivotal to the PFI’s mission of providing Palestinian filmmakers with the opportunity to share their stories without the constraints of censorship and erasure.
The PFF jury, consisting of **Michel Khleifi**, a renowned Palestinian writer and director, **Marianne Khoury**, an Egyptian producer and artistic director, and **Rania Stephan**, a Lebanese filmmaker, expressed their admiration for the quality of the submissions. They noted the projects’ cinematic maturity and ability to convey the richness of Palestinian experiences.
“In these times of political erasure, it was difficult to prioritize the projects, and we felt that many more were worth supporting,” the jury stated in a joint statement. They ultimately decided to expand their support to nine projects due to their artistic integrity and the urgency of their themes.
The Palestine Film Fund aims to provide financial and sectoral support to Palestinian filmmakers working on short, medium, and feature-length films. The fund prioritizes filmmakers based in Palestine, those in lower income countries, or in regions where discrimination against Palestinian voices limits access to funding opportunities.
The inaugural PFF funding follows a significant year for Palestinian cinema, highlighted by films such as **Palestine 36** by **Annemarie Jacir** and **All That’s Left You** by **Cherien Dabis**, as well as the Cannes award-winning **Once Upon A Time In Gaza** by **Tarzan Nasser** and **Arab Nasser**.
As the PFI prepares for its second call for applications, set to open in early **April 2026**, the selected filmmakers are encouraged to finalize their films and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of Palestinian storytelling. The selected projects exemplify the potential of cinema to convey deeply personal and culturally significant narratives, resonating with audiences worldwide.
The films benefiting from the fund include:
Featured Projects
**Concrete Land** (Palestine, Jordan)
Directed by **Asmahan Bkerat**, this documentary tells the story of a three-generational Palestinian Bedouin family facing eviction and displacement on the outskirts of **Amman**, Jordan.
**+477 Night** (Palestine)
Directed by **Aisha Alqraan**, this documentary examines the impact of war on family life, detailing the moment a missile transforms a family’s existence.
**To Make Things Grow** (UK)
Directed by **Yasmin Fedda**, this documentary uncovers the history of the **Farm School of Deir Amro** in Palestine, exploring the intersection of land, community, and history.
**Three Days and a Third** (Belgium, Palestine, Lebanon)
Directed by **Rakan Mayasi**, this hybrid film delves into the complexities of tribal traditions in a fog-veiled valley.
**The Story of the Mountain** (Palestine)
Directed by **Shayma’ Awawdeh**, this hybrid film features children in Hebron imagining a magical mountain that symbolizes their hope for change.
**Aziza in a Cherished Land** (Palestine)
Directed by **Tareq Khalaf**, this documentary captures the emotional journey of a young man faced with leaving his homeland amidst a deteriorating political landscape.
**Short Films**
– **Trash** (Palestine) by **Leen Ms. Kanan**: A fictional narrative set at a military checkpoint, focusing on a Palestinian truck driver’s act of courage.
– **Issa and the Forest** (Palestine) by **Rama Heib**: An animated story about a boy’s encounter with a mysterious creature in the forest.
– **Where the Light Rests** (Palestine) by **Islam Tuaima**: A documentary exploring grief and memory through the lens of a woman who lost her family in the war.
These nine films represent a bold step towards amplifying Palestinian voices in cinema, showcasing stories that demand to be seen and heard.
