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All donations raised from this year’s festival will be shared between two initiatives dedicated to supporting Palestinian filmmaking and filmmakers: FilmLab Palestine, based in Ramallah, and the children’s animation workshop My Story Became a Film in Gaza.

FilmLab Palestine’s mission is “to boost film production and viewership in Palestine by providing the ideal space for filmmakers to convene, evoke learning, exchange experiences, inspire one another, produce film art, while exposing viewers to a diverse repertoire of films.”

My Story became a Film’s founder, Haneen Muhammad Koraz, said: “I deeply believe that every person has the right to express himself freely, and that art making and learning cartoon films is one of the means of free expression, audio-visually, for all segments of society. I tried to change the reality, even if just a little, for the children and women in the tents and I have conducted workshops specifically for children. Children and women draw, color, discuss, play, learn using the photography program, photograph scenes, write stories that express their suffering and reality, draw cartoon characters, and record their voices on film. They have created many cartoon films.”

Programme

Saturday 23rd November, 2024

Wajib + Discussion

Wajib + Discussion

Time: 17:45 - 20:15

Location: Easton Community Centre, Kilburn St, BS5 6AW

Film and discussion. A father and his estranged son must come together to hand-deliver his daughter's wedding invitations to each guest as per local Palestinian custom, in this rousing family drama from Annemarie Jacir (When I Saw You).

Saturday 30th November, 2024

From Ground Zero + Director Q&A

From Ground Zero + Director Q&A

Time: 14:00 - 16:45

Location: Arnolfini, BS1 4QA

A diverse tapestry of short films by Gazan filmmakers, brought together by director Rashid Masharawi, that illustrate the resilience of creative life of Gaza in a time of war.

Saturday 30th November, 2024

Reem Kelani

Reem Kelani

Time: 19:30 - 21:30

Location: Arnolfini, BS1 4QA

An evening of live music with the brilliant and multi-talented Palestinian singer-songwriter Reem Kelani, with Bruno Heinen on piano.

Saturday 30th November, 2024

BPFF 2024 Launch Afterparty

BPFF 2024 Launch Afterparty

Time: 22:30 - 03:00

Location: Strange Brew, Fairfax St., BS1 3DB

Club night with Simo Cell (Paris), Jeneen (Palestine/London) and Nadha (Lebanon/Bristol). Raising money for Gaza children's animation project 'my story became a film'.

Sunday 1st December, 2024

The Teacher + Director Q&A

The Teacher + Director Q&A

Time: 14:10 - 16:45

Location: Watershed, BS1 5TX

A Palestinian school teacher (struggles to reconcile his risky commitment to political resistance with his emotional support for one of his students and the chance of a new relationship with a volunteer worker.

Monday 2nd December, 2024

Shorts

Shorts

Time: 19:45 - 21:25

Location: The Cube, BS2 8JD

Our shorts evening features six short films exploring different aspects of Palestinian life, culture and resistance. Featuring An Orange from Jaffa, Voice Notes from Palestine, Mar Mama, Dear Child II, No Words and The Deer's Tooth.

Tuesday 3rd December, 2024

Yallah Gaza

Yallah Gaza

Time: 19:45 - 21:25

Location: The Cube, BS2 8JD

Documentary film exploring the continuing endurance of Gaza as a territory and a people despite the successive military assaults, occupation and blockade by Israeli forces.

Wednesday 4th December, 2024

Lyd + Director Q&A

Lyd + Director Q&A

Time: 19:30 - 21:10

Location: Palestine Museum and Cultural Centre, 27 Broad Street, BS1 2HG

Feature-length sci-fi documentary that explores the rich history of the city of Lyd in Palestine/Israel, and dares to ask the question: what would the city be like had the Israeli occupation of Lyd never happened?

Thursday 5th December, 2024

Where Olive Trees Weep

Where Olive Trees Weep

Time: 18:30

Location: Screen 1, The Little Theatre, St Michaels Place, Bath BA1 1SF

Heartbreakingly beautiful documentary explores the possibilities of facing and healing trauma for Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. With Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi and Holocaust survivor Dr Gabor Maté.

Friday 6th December, 2024

To a Land Unknown

To a Land Unknown

Time: 17:40 - 20:05

Location: Watershed, BS1 5TX

Hard-hitting award-winning drama debut that follows two Palestinian refugees willing to risk everything to escape their precarious lives in the Athens underworld.

Saturday 7th December, 2024

Aida Returns

Aida Returns

Time: 12:30 - 14:30

Location: Watershed, BS1 5TX

After her mother Aida’s passing, director Carol Mansour meets friends in Beirut willing to carry Aida’s ashes back to the place of her birth: Jaffa, Palestine. The film is a sometimes comedic exploration of family, loss and grief, and a poetic nod and affirmation to all those exiled Palestinians forbidden from returning to their hometowns, even after death.

Saturday 7th December, 2024

Leila and the Wolves

Leila and the Wolves

Time: 15:00 - 16:30

Location: Watershed, BS1 5TX

A time-travelling Lebanese woman, Leila, visits the women’s resistance throughout the twentieth century, joining with Lebanese and Palestinian women throughout time.

Saturday 7th December, 2024

Tomorrow’s Freedom + Director Q&A

Tomorrow’s Freedom + Director Q&A

Time: 19:45 - 21:45

Location: The Cube, BS2 8JD

A moving documentary on the life of imprisoned Palestinian political leader Marwan Barghouthi. If given a chance could Barghouthi unite the Palestinians and pave the way for an inclusive, democratic and peaceful future?

Sunday 8th December, 2024

Where Olive Trees Weep + Q&A

Where Olive Trees Weep + Q&A

Time: 13:30 - 15:50

Location: Arnolfini, BS1 4QA

Heartbreakingly beautiful documentary explores the possibilities of facing and healing trauma for Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. With Ahed Tamimi and Dr Gabor Maté.

Sunday 8th December, 2024

Thank You For Banking With Us! + Director Q&A

Thank You For Banking With Us! + Director Q&A

Time: 17:00 - 19:15

Location: Watershed, BS1 5TX

When their father passes away leaving a large sum of money in the bank, two sisters put their differences aside and join forces against Sharia law, according to which their brother has the right to take double what they are entitled to.

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