The BPFF shorts programme is a night packed with a selection of compelling short films from different genres, including animation, documentary, and comedy. Held at the Bristol Palestine Museum & Cultural Centre, it displays the talent of Palestinian filmmakers and their interrogation of their identity, culture and struggle for freedom.

Our shorts programme this year consists of seven films: By the Sea, The Living of the Pigeons, Mariam, TAQI, Night, Siri Miri and Wifi Rider.

By The Sea

In the midst of both an occupation and the pandemic, Nahid insists on normalcy bybaking a birthday cake for her husband, who is being chased by Israeli soldiers. As she struggles with both containment restrictions, will Nahid be able to celebrate with her family against all the odds?

The Living of the Pigeons

A harsh insight into the lived experience of thousands of Palestinian workers as they transit in the early hours of the morning through Checkpoint 300, a checkpoint separating Bethlehem from Jerusalem in the West Bank.

Mariam

Dana Durr’s dreamlike animation follows the story of Mariam, a young girl who loses her beloved home tree and undergoes a journey into her heritage and culture to find strength and identity. 

TAQI

Taqi Sabateen is a Palestinian painter and graffiti artist from the West Bank, who expresses his frustration towards the occupation, the checkpoints, and the Separation Wall through his paintings and personal stories. Aleen Shoufani’s documentary shows how Taqi’s art reflects the distress of a whole nation.

Night

When Night brings peace and sleep to all the people in a broken and war-ridden town, it is only the eyes of a mother with a missing child that remain open. Night has to trick her into sleeping to save her soul. Ahmad Salah’s animation short is a visual poem about the restlessness of loss.

Siri Miri

Out of boredom, two Palestinian teens ask Siri, a Virtual Assistant, for help. Luay Awwad’s comedic short film gives us a snippet of Palestinian youth living in a technological age in a somewhat modern, yet limited Palestine. 

Wifi Rider

Shukri Lawrence is a young Palestinian artist and fashion designer living in Jordan. Through social media, Shukri builds his fashion brand ‘Trashy Clothing’ and transcends typical ideas of Arab identity. Wifi Rider is a short documentary portrait of a key player of contemporary Middle Eastern fashion and queer Arab culture, and an ultimate expression of Palestinian identity.