Gouna Film Festival announced the continuation of its special Palestinian film program "Window on Palestine", which will once again be featured in the festival’s 7th edition, running from October 24 to November 1, 2024.
This program first began in December 2023 when the festival, originally scheduled for October, had to be postponed. At that time, the decision was made to include 'Window on Palestine' as a meaningful way to amplify Palestinian voices and stories during a particularly challenging period for the Palestinian people.
This year, GFF continues with this initiative, reaffirming its commitment to giving Palestinian cinema a platform and sharing their experiences with global audiences. This special program reflects the festival’s solidarity with and support for the Palestinian people, who have endured over a year of escalating violence in the Gaza Strip and other Palestinian territories. By shedding light on the decades-long plight of Palestinians, the festival aims to amplify their voices and share their untold stories through the lens of cinema.
When asked about the importance of having a program focused on Palestine at an Arab festival like El Gouna, Marianne Khoury, the Artistic Director of the festival, replied it is “extremely” important and a current curatorial priority. “You cannot be a festival in the region and not be part of what is happening in the world. This is touching us all, not only Palestinians and the Lebanese. We are all involved, so it is extremely important. I couldn’t see it any other way.”
Andrew Mohsen, Head of Film Programming at El Gouna Film Festival, added: “When we introduced 'Window on Palestine' last year, it was in response to an urgent need to support Palestinian filmmakers and make their voices heard. We saw the power of cinema to connect people to the realities of those living in conflict. This year, we are continuing with the same commitment—to ensure that Palestinian stories are told and that the international community bears witness to their strength, creativity, and perseverance.”
Window on Palestine includes 6 films:
UNDR | Short Film 2024 | Palestine, Germany | by Kamal Aljafari Helicopter footage surveys the desert, capturing natural formations and human impact. Dynamite reshapes the land as children play. Through archival footage, UNDR weaves an eerie tale of intrusion and surveillance in Palestine.
KHALED & NEMA | Short Film 2023 | Palestine | by Sohail Dahdal Featuring Khaled, a Bedouin boy, must save his village from demolition. The only hope is to restore the memory of Abu Mariam, the village elder. With his goat Nema, he sets out on a mission to save their history.
MAQLUBA | Short Film 2024 | United States | by Mike Elsherif Featuring Laila, a Palestinian-American drummer, visits her grandmother during a storm supposedly to help her unpack, but her hidden motives emerge as they explore the mystical night together.
THE KEY | Short Film 2023 | Palestine, France, Belgium, Qatar | by Rakan Mayasi An Israeli family’s equilibrium gradually disintegrates as the mysterious sound of a key is heard every evening in the door of their apartment.
THE DUPES | Feature Film 1972 | Syria | by Tewfik Saleh Based on Ghassan Kanafani's short story "Men in the Sun" The Dupes, Tewfic Saleh's masterpiece, traces the destinies of 3 Palestinian refugees brought together by dispossession, distress and the hope of a better future.
A SHORT FILM ABOUT KIDS | Short Film 2023 | Palestine | by Ibrahim Handal The story of four kids from the refugee camp in Bethlehem decide to visit the sea for the first time in their life.
Additionally, the festival is screening other Palestinian films as part of its broader program:
AN ORANGE FROM JAFFA | Short Film 2024 | Palestine, Poland, France | by Mohammed Almughanni Mohammed, a young Palestinian, seeks a taxi to cross an Israeli checkpoint. When the driver learns he has already failed at another checkpoint, tensions rise.
UPSHOT | Short Film 2024 | Palestine, Italy, France | by Maha Haj After suffering a devastating loss, Suleiman and Lubna isolate themselves on a farm, but their peace is disrupted by a stranger who delivers a heartbreaking revelation.
THANK YOU FOR BANKING WITH US | Feature Film 2024 | Palestine, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt | by Laila Abbas After their father’s death, two sisters put aside their differences and join forces against Sharia law, which grants their brother the majority of their inheritance.
The "Window on Palestine" program at El Gouna Film Festival is a testament to the resilience and creativity of Palestinian filmmakers, offering audiences around the world an opportunity to witness their stories of struggle, survival, and humanity. These films capture the essence of Palestinian life in all its complexity and underscore the power of cinema as a tool for cultural expression and resistance. As we continue this initiative for the second consecutive year, we remain committed to showcasing the untold stories of Palestine and fostering greater understanding through the art of cinema.
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