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A Fidai Film

In the summer of 1982 the Israeli army invaded Beirut. During this time it raided the Palestinian Research Center and looted its entire archive.
The archive contained historical documents of Palestine, including a collection of still and moving images.
Taking this as a premise, A Fidai Film explores the visual memory of this looting and appropriates images now in the hands of Israeli archives.
Edited by: Kamal Aljafari, Yannig Willmann
Sound: Attila Faravelli
Line Producer & Assistant Editing: Flavia Mazzarino

Mohamed Sawwaf

Mohamed Sawwaf is a Palestinian director, producer, and journalist, and the founder of Alef Multimedia, based in Palestine. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Media and completed postgraduate studies in Contemporary History. Sawwaf has directed over thirty documentaries, receiving awards and recognition at numerous international festivals, including the Gold Medal at the New York Film Festival 2024, the Royal Television Society Journalism Award 2024 in the UK, the Edward R. Murrow Award, and the Sanford St. Martin Award.

Palestinian Prison Break

Break Prison Palestine is a compelling documentary that chronicles the real-life stories of Palestinian prisoners' daring escapes from Israeli jails, tracing events from the British mandate era to the present day. The film provides a dramatic and documentary-style exploration of how Palestinian detainees have challenged the prison system through inspiring mental battles with their captors. Blending reenactments of key escape scenes with archival footage, the documentary presents six prominent escape stories that highlight creativity and courage in the pursuit of freedom.

Khaled Jarar

Khaled Jarrar was born in Jenin, Occupied Palestine in 1976. He studied interior design at Palestine Polytechnic University in 1996. Upon graduating, he smuggled himself to work as a carpenter in Nazareth, living as an underground “illegal” worker. In 1998 Jarrar enlisted in military training, which resulted in working for Arafat as a personal bodyguard until Arafat’s death in 2004. Attempting to create a life between the military and an artistic practice, Jarrar entered the field of photography in 2005.

The Seven Waves

The Seven Waves is a testimony of love dedicated to the sea of Gaza, its stories, myths, and heroes. In two parallel timelines, the film follows the journey of a Palestinian rowing champion striving to achieve her dream and the story of a fisherman and marine rescuer who has spent his life by the Gaza Sea. Inspired by a popular myth in Gaza, The Seven Waves weaves together stories and dreams of a besieged sea, filled with life and hope.
The film was produced and shot prior to the ongoing genocide that started in October 2023.

Yousef Srouji

Yousef is a first time documentary filmmaker and longtime storyteller. His work centers around understanding the dynamics of occupation in Palestine, and community resilience in conflict zones. He holds a Master of Development Practice from UC Berkeley and hopes to use his skills to aid and empower marginalized communities in the Middle East. Yousef spent the first part of his childhood in Palestine, then relocated to Qatar with his family in the midst of the Second Intifada. He attended the University of British Columbia, where he earned a BA in Economics.

Three Promises

A mother films her family's life while sheltering from Israel’s attacks during the Second Intifada in the West Bank. Her son revisits the past through this footage, delivering a heart-breaking portrait of the anguish of parents forced to choose between their children’s safety and the emotional upheaval of leaving home.

Goodbye Julia

Wracked by guilt after covering up a murder, Mona, a northern Sudanese retired singer in a tense marriage tries to make amends by taking in the deceased’s southern Sudanese widow, Julia, and her son, Daniel, into her home. Unable to confess her transgressions to Julia, Mona decides to leave the past behind and adjust to a new status quo, unaware that the country’s turmoil may find its way into her home and put her face to face with her sins.

Cast: Eiman Yousif, Siran Riak, Nazar Gomaa, Ger Duany, Stephanos James Peter

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