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Bristol Palestine Film Festival (BPFF) is pleased to announce that Palestinian film will be returning to the South West for the ninth year, on 3-8 December.

Programme highlights include Elia Suleiman’s film It Must Be Heaven, about a man who moves to Paris only to find that Palestine is still following himOscar nominated Gaza, a beautifully shot documentary about the real people of Gazaand Soufra, a wildly inspirational story about a woman called Mariam who starts a food truck company.

The festival has grown this year to include four new venues, adding screenings in Bath, Bradford-on-Avon, and at St George’s Bristol, in addition to the already established venues in Bristol and Clevedon.

Soufra Soufra PosterProgramme 2019

Soufra

An inspirational story about social entrepreneur Mariam Shaar and her fellow refugee women who set…
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September 29, 2019
Wajib Wajib PosterProgramme 2019

Wajib

Shadi returns to Nazareth for his sister’s wedding and despite a strained relationship, agrees to…
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September 29, 2019

Thanks to Zenobia for giving us permission to use their wonderful music
Music: “Tawahan” by Zenobia
From Zenobia’s debut EP (out on Crammed Discs).

Programme

Tuesday 3rd December, 2019

The Man Who Stole Banksy

The Man Who Stole Banksy

Time: 19:30

Location: Palestine Museum, BS1 2HG

In 2007 Banksy slips into Palestine to paint on walls. What follows is a story of clashing cultures, art, identity, theft and the black market.

Read More >

Wednesday 4th December, 2019

The Reports on Sarah and Saleem

The Reports on Sarah and Saleem

Time: 19:30

Location: St Margaret’s Hall, Bradford-upon-Avon

Despite being worlds apart, Sarah and Saleem risk everything as they embark on an illicit affair that could tear apart their unsuspecting respective families.

Read More >

Wednesday 4th December, 2019

The Time That Remains

The Time That Remains

Time: 19:30

Location: Palestine Museum, BS1 2HG

An intimate semi-biographical portrait of Palestinians living as a minority in their own homeland between 1948 and the present day, from the acclaimed director of Divine Intervention.

Read More >

Wednesday 4th December, 2019

Gaza Surf Club

Gaza Surf Club

Time: 20:00

Location: The Windmill Film Club, BS3 4LU

Tired of the restrictions of living under occupation and the conservative Hamas government, a group of young men and women find their freedom in the waves of the Mediterranean – they are the surfers of Gaza.

Read More >

Wednesday 4th December, 2019

Wajib

Wajib

Time: 20:00

Location: The Lazy Dog, BS7 9JR

Shadi returns to Nazareth for his sister’s wedding and despite a strained relationship, agrees to help his father hand-deliver the invitations to each guest, as per local Palestinian custom.

Read More >

Thursday 5th December, 2019

Cinema of the Palestine Revolution + Q&A

Cinema of the Palestine Revolution + Q&A

Time: 15:50

Location: Watershed, BS1 5TX

Screening of four lost films from the Palestine Film Unit, made in the revolutionary 60s and 70s and now restored to pristine condition. Don’t miss this memorable event.

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Thursday 5th December, 2019

In Vitro

In Vitro

Time: 18:00

Location: Watershed, BS1 5TX

Stunningly shot in atmospheric black and white, this otherworldly rumination on memory, history, place and identity premiered at the Venice Biennale in 2019.

Read More >

Thursday 5th December, 2019

Gaza + Q&A

Gaza + Q&A

Time: 19:30

Location: Curzon Clevedon, BS21 6NN

In this beautifully shot documentary about everyday life in the ‘open prison’ of Gaza, the headlines are stripped back and the political brinkmanship side-lined, to make way for individual human stories, and the struggle for a meaningful life.

Read More >

Friday 6th December, 2019

Screwdriver

Screwdriver

Time: 18:00

Location: Watershed, BS1 5TX

After spending more than a decade in prison for a failed attack on an Israeli settler, Ziad struggles to readjust to life in Ramallah.

Read More >

Friday 6th December, 2019

The Reports on Sarah and Saleem

The Reports on Sarah and Saleem

Time: 19:00

Location: Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution

Despite being worlds apart, Sarah and Saleem risk everything as they embark on an illicit affair that could tear apart their unsuspecting respective families.

Read More >

Friday 6th December, 2019

Gaza + Q&A

Gaza + Q&A

Time: 20:00

Location: The Cube, BS2 8NQ

In this beautifully shot documentary about everyday life in the ‘open prison’ of Gaza, the headlines are stripped back and the political brinkmanship side-lined to make way for individual human stories, and the struggle for a meaningful life.

Read More >

Saturday 7th December, 2019

Palestinian Shorts

Palestinian Shorts

Time: 15:00

Location: Palestine Museum, BS1 2HG

Bringing together a collection of some of the best short films to emerge from Palestine and about Palestinians this year, including drama, documentary and animation.

Read More >

Saturday 7th December, 2019

Writer in residence: Ahmed Masoud

Writer in residence: Ahmed Masoud

Time: 17:00

Location: St George

Bristol Palestine Film Festival is delighted to welcome Ahmed Masoud as our writer in residence at this year’s festival.

Read More >

Saturday 7th December, 2019

The Apollo of Gaza

The Apollo of Gaza

Time: 18:00

Location: Watershed, BS1 5TX

A 2000-year old statue of Apollo is found near Gaza, only to disappear all of a sudden. This documentary film is full of mystery and unexpected plot twists.

Read More >

Saturday 7th December, 2019

Soufra

Soufra

Time: 19:00

Location: St George's Bristol

An inspirational story about social entrepreneur Mariam Shaar and her fellow refugee women who set out to change their fate by launching a catering company.

Read More >

Saturday 7th December, 2019

Ghost Hunting

Ghost Hunting

Time: 20:00

Location: The Cube, BS2 8NQ

In order to confront the ghosts that haunt him, Palestinian director Raed Andoni assembles a group of ex-prisoners to build a replica of Israel’s main interrogation centre, where he was once jailed, and re-enact its stories.

Read More >

Sunday 8th December, 2019

The Tower

The Tower

Time: 16:00

Location: Watershed, BS1 5TX

This delightful film uses stop-frame and 2D animation to tell the story of Wardi, a young girl living in a Palestinian refugee camp, who learns about her family's history through three previous generations of refugees.

Read More >

Sunday 8th December, 2019

It Must Be Heaven

It Must Be Heaven

Time: 18:00

Location: Watershed, BS1 5TX

Elia Suleiman brings deadpan humour to this Cannes award-winning film, as he travels to different cities and finds unexpected parallels to his homeland.

Read More >

Sunday 8th December, 2019

Hurdle

Hurdle

Time: 20:00

Location: The Cube, BS2 8NQ

In the shadow of a wall stands a new generation of Palestinians. With defiant creativity – and a passion for parkour – they prove that no matter the height of the obstacle, one can always climb.

Read More >

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