The event shares Palestinian stories through cinema.
Film fans, it’s time to come together. Cinema Akil is marking the 11th anniversary of Reel Palestine with a festival that aims to shine a spotlight on Palestine. Running from 24 January to 2 February, the event is committed to showcasing stories through cinema and offering an alternative view.
Reel Palestine 2025 features eight feature films and documentaries and 13 short films across two programmes. Events include Q&A sessions, workshops, and the souk. The festival also honours the Palestinian cinematographer and photographer Hani Jawhareih.
Reel Palestine brings together an exciting lineup. This year, the festival opens with Mehdi Fleifel’s To a Land Unknown. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival at the Director’s Fortnight. The story follows two men risking their lives for a better future.
Carol Mansour’s documentary, A State of Passion, takes place in Gaza’s emergency rooms. Passing Dreams follows a 12-year-old boy on a journey to find his missing bird. Elsewhere, Thank You for Banking with Us tells the story of two sisters and their father’s inheritance.
Events include a Q&A with Mohamed Jabaly, which follows the screening of his film Life Is Beautiful. Rashid Masharawi’s project, From Ground Zero, is Palestine’s official Academy Awards submission for 2025. Masharawi will also join the festival via virtual Q&A.
The Reel Palestine Souk runs each weekend and features 60 local businesses and social enterprises from Palestine, the UAE, and beyond. Stalls sell arts, books, crafts, and food.
Bayt is one of the supporters of Reel Palestine. Ola Haddad, General Manager at Bayt.com said: “Reel Palestine gives a powerful voice to Palestinian filmmakers, sharing their stories in ways that bring people together and deepen cultural understanding. This partnership is our way of celebrating the impact of storytelling and how it can inspire change, create movements, and most importantly bring communities together to celebrate resilience and creativity.”
Tickets are available now.
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GO: Visit www.cinemaakil.com for more information.
