Palestinian cinema

Filmmaker and actor Mohammad Bakri at the Supreme Court, in Jerusalem, May 16, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Until his final day, Mohammad Bakri would not be crushed

Israel’s courts, military, and mainstream media united to punish the Palestinian actor for giving voice to his people. But he remained unbroken to the end.

By Michael Sfard January 6, 2026

Attendees gather for the opening of the Gaza International Festival for Women's Cinema, Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, October 26, 2025. (Courtesy of the Gaza International Festival for Women's Cinema)

In a tent in central Gaza, a women’s film festival is born

Held over six days last week, the inaugural International Festival for Women's Cinema was ‘an affirmation that Gaza loves life despite the genocide.’

By Ibtisam Mahdi November 4, 2025

Screening of ‘No Other Land’ in At-Tuwani, Masafer Yatta, occupied West Bank, March 14, 2024. (Oren Ziv)

Israel decries Hollywood boycott — while silencing its own critical filmmakers

Films challenging dominant Zionist narratives have long faced bans, funding cuts, and smear campaigns from Israeli officials and right-wing activists alike.

By Roy Cohen September 22, 2025

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A still from the movie "Farha," directed by Darin J. Sallam. (Talebox)

What can a new generation of Palestinian filmmakers learn from ‘Farha’?

The desire to direct a film about the Nakba is a powerful call to action. But to fully convey what we lost, it must be carefully rooted in historical reality.

By Samah Bsoul January 25, 2023

Palestinian actor and filmmaker Mohammad Bakri at the Lod District Court, December 21, 2017. (Flash90)

For Palestinian filmmakers in Israel, it’s loyalty or silence

Israel’s persecution of actor and filmmaker Mohammad Bakri reflects its desire to censor stories of the occupation while gloating about being a ‘democracy.’

By Suha Arraf January 15, 2021

Haifa International Film Festival organizers speak during a press conference at the festival launch event at Khashba Theater, Haifa, March 22, 2018. (Hamody Gannam)

Palestinian film festival seeks to challenge Israel’s cultural erasure

For the third straight year, local Palestinian as well as Arab filmmakers from across the world will be able to showcase their work in the Haifa Independent Film Festival. For the next six days, film lovers will flock to the north for the third annual Haifa Independent Film Festival, which will include both Palestinian films, as well as…

By Rami Younis March 23, 2018

Palestinian director Maysaloun Hamoud. (Yariv Fein)

The Palestinian director bringing her generation to the big screen

Even as women continue to be underrepresented in the film industry, Palestinian director Maysaloun Hamoud’s new movie is winning international acclaim — and puts Palestinian women front and center. +972 Magazine sat down with Hamoud to talk feminism, liberation and Palestinian society. One of the strongest sensations I experienced during my first viewing of “In Between”…

By Haggai Matar January 5, 2017

Speed Sisters. (photo: Tanya Habjouqa)

Meet Palestine’s first all-female race-car team

A new documentary tells the story of five brave Palestinian female race-car drivers who must learn to challenge their own society’s norms while facing the violence of Israel’s military occupation. That pursuit of something good, which fills you up with hope and positive energy, has become mission impossible even for optimists such as myself. Over…

By Samah Salaime June 3, 2015