Film Studies: Exploring Palestinian Cinema

Palestinian filmmakers both inside the borders of historic Palestine and in exile, have consistently mobilised their art in the struggle for nationhood and to challenge historical and cultural erasure.

The course will explore both contemporary and historical filmmaking practices to highlight the diverse genres and styles that Palestinians have adopted to tell their stories, exploring the shift in filmmaking practices and narrative priorities as a result of changing political and social climates. The course will highlight how Palestinian films need to be understood in both aesthetic and historical/political contexts.

The course lecturers will explore 1) Cinema from the Palestinian Revolution; 2) Forging a Palestinian Cinema Post Oslo 3) Gaza on Film 4) Experimental Cinema

Film critics have reflected that there is no Palestinian film industry, there are only Palestinian films, given the lack of infrastructure in the national context. Despite these difficulties, the increasing range and quality of films produced make the study of Palestinian Cinema stimulating for cinema buffs and those interested in the politics of the region.

Presented in association with Sheffield Hallam University. Tutors: Professor Anandi Ramamurthy and Mahassen Nasser Elgin.

Get a notification when new films are scheduled

Upcoming films & events

Film Studies Season Pass: Exploring Palestinian Cinema 18: This pass entitles you to access all events in this Film Studies season - 4 films, 4 lectures. Curated and delivered by Professor Anandi Ramamurthy and Mahassen Nasser Elgin.

Film Studies: Bye Bye Tiberias PG: French, Arabic with English Subtitles; Thirty years after leaving to become an actress, Hiam Abbass and her filmmaker daughter Lina return home, to journey through the vanished places among the scattered memories of four generations of daring Palestinian women.

Film Studies Lecture: Cinema of the Palestinian Revolution: Wed 29 Jan 18:30; Palestinian filmmakers both inside the borders of historic Palestine and in exile, have consistently mobilised their art in the struggle for nationhood and to challenge historical and cultural erasure.

Film Studies: Ghost Hunting 18: Arabic with English Subtitles; Winner of the prestigious Silver Bear for Best Documentary at the 2017 Berlin Film Festival, Palestinian filmmaker Raed Andoni’s powerful feature is a hybrid of documentary, fiction and experimental film.

Film Studies Lecture: Forging a National Cinema Post Oslo: Wed 12 Feb 18:30; Palestinian filmmakers both inside the borders of historic Palestine and in exile, have consistently mobilised their art in the struggle for nationhood and to challenge historical and cultural erasure.

Film Studies: Habibi 18: Arabic with English subtitles; Habibi, a story of forbidden love, is a fiction feature set in Gaza. Two students in the West Bank are forced to return home to Gaza, where their love defies tradition.

Film Studies Lecture: Gaza on Film: Wed 26 Feb 18:30; Palestinian filmmakers both inside the borders of historic Palestine and in exile, have consistently mobilised their art in the struggle for nationhood and to challenge historical and cultural erasure.

Film Studies: A House in Jerusalem 12A: English, Arabic with English Subtitles; After her mother’s sudden death, Rebecca moves to Jerusalem with her father in hopes that a new beginning will help her heal. There she makes a friend that only she can see.

Film Studies Lecture: Experimental Palestinian Cinema: Wed 12 Mar 18:30; Palestinian filmmakers both inside the borders of historic Palestine and in exile, have consistently mobilised their art in the struggle for nationhood and to challenge historical and cultural erasure.