The Bristol Palestine Film Festival 2022 takes place 2-11 December across six venues in the city. This year’s festival will feature a comedy show for the first time in its 11-year history, alongside 8 feature-length films and 2 shorts nights, showcasing a range of contemporary stories and experiences from Palestine and the region.
The festival kicks off with the film Boycott, followed by a Stand Up for Palestine comedy night at the Folk House on 3 December starring Mark Thomas, Nick Revell, and Esther Manito. Proceeds from the comedy night will go toward two hard to fund charities: MAP, which provides medical aid for Palestinians and BPFF. Our stellar programme of films will be shown at Watershed, The Cube, St.George’s, Arnolfini, and the Palestine Museum and Cultural Centre.
Time: 18:00
Location: Arnolfini, BS1 4QA
An attorney from Arizona, a news publisher in Arkansas and a speech therapist in Texas launch legal battles when they are forced to choose between their jobs and their political beliefs.
Time: 19:00
Location: Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution, BA1 2HN
Among the many gifts Jason Sherman received for his bar mitzvah was a tree planted in Israel. Now, 40 years later, Sherman begins his journey from Toronto to Tel Aviv, keen to see what has become of his tree. However, along the way he learns about the Jewish National Fund afforestation projects and the role of the Canadian Jewish diaspora in developing Canada Park, a 700-hectare Israeli national park which covers the remains of Palestinian villages.
Time: 19:00
Location: Folk House, BS1 5JG
Stand Up for Palestine is a comedy night with the fabulous Mark Thomas, the wonderfully anarchic Nick Revell, the hilarious and biting Esther Manito and a new dark humour sketch, Gaza Taxi Driver, by Palestinian author Ahmed Masoud.
Time: 19:30
Location: St. Georges, BS1 5RR
An evening of film dedicated to the brilliant musicians emerging from this scene, showcasing their music, perspectives and struggles as they celebrate life through their art and channel their drive for self-determination
Time: 20:00
Location: Palestine Museum, BS1 2HG
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.
Time: 20:00
Location: The Cube, Dove St S, BS2 8JD
From Chilean stadiums to Palestine refugee camps, from Santiago to Bethlehem. Spanning over 100 years of history, Cuatro Colores narrates the intertwining histories of the Club Deportivo Palestino (Palestinian Football Club) and key moments in the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Aldo Guerrero’s documentary reveals a story of injustice and abuse of war power with a legacy that is worldwide.
Time: 17:40
Location: Watershed, BS1 5TX
Waleed is a failing writer suffering from depression. He develops a friendship with his mysterious neighbour Jalal, a small-time crook, and subsequently finds his perception of life beginning to slowly change.
Time: 20:00
Location: Palestine Museum, 27 Broad St, BS1 2HG
Fadia, a Palestinian refugee in Lebanon, challenges the film’s director, Sarah Beddington to find an ancient mulberry tree that stands as witness to her family’s existence. Along the way, Sarah meets with ornithologists whose observations on the homing instincts of the birds inadvertently reveal the unresolved problems of the region.
Time: 18:00
Location: Watershed, BS1 5TX
Staring actors Maisa Abd Elhadi and Ali Suliman, Huda’s Salon is a feminist thriller based on true events, about betrayal and loyalty when two women fight for their freedom.
Time: 17:00
Location: Watershed, BS1 5TX
For 11 days in May 2021, Gaza was bombed by Israel, resulting in more than 260 fatalities. This film portrays the individual loss and sorrow of families and friends who lost their children in the bombing.
Time: 20:00
Location: The Cube, Dove St S, BS2 8JD
Three women with distinct personalities must put their differences aside and work together in order to survive, after a death in the family unravels their lives.
Time: 15:00
Location: Watershed, BS1 5TX
Among the many gifts Jason Sherman received for his bar mitzvah was a tree planted in Israel. Now, 40 years later, Sherman begins his journey from Toronto to Tel Aviv, keen to see what has become of his tree. However, along the way he learns about the Jewish National Fund afforestation projects and the role of the Canadian Jewish diaspora in developing Canada Park, a 700-hectare Israeli national park which covers the remains of Palestinian villages.
Time: 18:00
Location: Watershed, BS1 5TX
Alam is a story of how a Palestinian teenager is no different from any other around the world embarking on new experiences, chasing dreams, love, and freedom.
Time: 20:00
Location: The Cube, Dove St S, BS2 8JD
Filmed over the span of eight years, The Devil’s Drivers follows two Bedouin drivers who risk their lives smuggling illegal workers out of the West Bank.
