The annual celebration of Palestinian cinema runs from 14 to 28 November.
The London Palestine Film Festival is back with a powerful programme spanning features, documentaries, and special events. Curated to offer a look at Palestinian life, history and resilience, this year’s lineup brings together established voices and emerging talent, creating space for stories from Gaza and beyond.
A major highlight is Palestine 36, in which acclaimed filmmaker Annemarie Jacir revisits the 1936 Arab Revolt against British rule. The cast features Hiam Abbass, Saleh Bakri, Jeremy Irons, Liam Cunningham and Dhafer L’Abidine, signalling a production of both scope and significance. From Kaouther Ben Hania, The Voice of Hind Rajab reconstructs the real-life story of a five-year-old girl trapped in a car in Gaza, blending documentary with re-enactment to haunting effect. Kamal Aljafari’s With Hasan in Gaza builds a reflective film from rediscovered footage shot in 2001, shaping an elegy of loss, endurance and the persistence of images.
Community remains central to the festival’s mission. The SkatePal Double Bill at Genesis Cinema in Mile End is presented with the non-profit organisation SkatePal, which supports Palestinian youth through skateboarding and creative enterprise. Expect screenings that foreground grassroots energy and the power of collective action.
The curtain call arrives on Saturday, 29 November at 8pm, when Le Trio Joubran take the stage at the Barbican. Presented by Marsm, the renowned ambassadors of Palestinian music and culture, the renowned ambassadors of Palestinian music and culture perform for one night only to mark their 20th anniversary, promising a resonant finale to the fortnight.
Tickets are available now via the festival’s website, with screenings set to take place at venues across the city. This year’s sponsors include The New Arab, Marsm, The International Arab Charity, and others whose support helps the platform showcase vital cinema and the voices behind it. If you care about film with purpose, this is a London season essential.
GO: Visit www.palestinefilm.org.uk for more information.