Palestinian Cinema Days expands globally amid crisis

This year, Palestine Cinema Days aims to transcend borders again, providing an opportunity for global solidarity.

After the 2023 festival was postponed, Film Lab Palestine launched “Palestine Cinema Days Around the World,” which brought Palestinian stories to 86 cities across 41 countries.

The event featured 171 screenings of nine films, creating a powerful global platform to counter the ongoing repression of Palestinian narratives.

Months after the horrors of the genocidal war on Gaza, international media continue to distort the Palestinian story, censoring voices and perpetuating dehumanization.

In light of these ongoing challenges, Aflamuna, a cultural nonprofit based in Beirut dedicated to promoting independent Arab cinema, has opened submissions for the 2024 edition of the festival and invited venues around the world to host screenings.

This year’s screenings take place on November 2.

Organizers call on filmmakers, venues, and activists worldwide to stand in solidarity by hosting screenings, using film to highlight the Palestinians' struggle for justice and liberation.

“Palestine Cinema Days 2024” offers a curated selection of films, available free of charge, thanks to the generosity of filmmakers and film rights owners.

Participants are encouraged to promote the screenings using the festival’s unified artwork, ensuring a cohesive, global presence.

Through these screenings, organizers aim to amplify Palestinian voices and expose false narratives, fostering dialogue and raising awareness on the international stage.

A Continuing Legacy

The “Palestine Cinema Days” festival, initially organized by Film Lab Palestine, has been a vital platform for Palestinian cinema since its inception in 2014.

Through its signature competitions, such as the Palestinian Sunbird Awards, the festival nurtures local talent and connects Palestinian filmmakers with international audiences.

By focusing on human stories and the reality of life under occupation, the festival has garnered worldwide recognition.

This year's screenings continue that legacy, transforming cinemas across the globe into spaces for solidarity and resistance.

The iconic Palestinian Sunbird, the festival's symbol, represents resilience and endurance—an ethos that reflects the festival’s determination to carry on, even in the face of adversity.

Though the physical festival was canceled last year, the spirit of Palestine Cinema Days lives on, offering audiences around the world the chance to witness Palestinian stories and history through the lens of cinema.