Palestine is the birthplace of many beautiful, heartbreaking, and enchanting stories. The art of filmmaking was the medium of choice that Palestinians used to capture the stories of their family, friends, community, and land. Filmmaking is a form of art that has become an integral part of Palestinian identity. Here is a list of creative Palestinian Filmmakers whose names are forever etched in history.
Farah Nabulsi
Farah Nabulsi is an award-winning Palestinian-British filmmaker and a human rights advocate. Nabulsi was born and raised in London, but she is 100% Palestinian. She began her work in the film industry in 2015. She works as a writer, producer, and director on films that carry socially relevant themes. The Present, her directorial debut, won the Audience Award for Best Film. Curretenly, it has over 50 International Film Festival Jury and Audience Awards, a BAFTA Award, and an Oscar Nomination. The Teacher is her directorial fiction feature-length film debut. It first premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Mai Masri
Mai Masri is one of the most accomplished Palestinian filmmakers and producers whose films reflect the real-life struggles of women and children living in occupied Palestinian territories and Lebanon. Masri has received over 60 international awards for her films. Deemed a pioneer in the Middle Eastern film industry, her films are known for their authenticity and power to fight dehumanization. One of her most well-known films is 3000 Nights, which screened at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was selected as the Jordanian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards.
Rashid Masharawi
Rashid Masharawi, born in the Gaza Strip, is a Palestinian filmmaker who does so much for the up-and-coming Palestinian filmmakers. Masharawi founded the Cinema Production and Distribution Center in Ramallah to promote local films. He also sponsors a portable cinema, which allows him to screen films in different Palestinian refugee camps. Some of his other projects include the annual Kids Film Festival. He creates workshops on filmmaking and film production. He regularly holds readings and talks at the Al-Matal Cultural Center. Through his films and involvement in the community, he has made a name for himself.
Firas Khoury
Firas Khoury is a Palestinian filmmaker. He founded the Falastinema Group, which presents screenings and cinema activities throughout Palestine. Firas wrote and directed his debut feature Alam, which had its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, and he won the Golden Pyramid from the Cairo International Film Festival for best film. His short film, Maradona’s Legs, tells the story of two young Palestinian football fans during the 1990 World Cup who set out to find the last missing piece of their sticker album and win an Atari.
Darin J. Sallam
Darin J. Sallam is a Jordanian-Palestinian filmmaker. Sallam graduated from the Red Sea Institute of Cinema Arts. She quickly made a name for herself in the filmmaking industry with her award-winning short films, including Still Alive, The Dark Outside, and The Parrot. Her debut feature film as director, Farha, tells the story of a young girl during the Nakba. It is based on a true story, as ‘Farha’ personally told her story to Sallam’s mother. While writing the film, she faced a lot of backlash and threats that this film would end her career.