Palestine 36: A Creative Story That Reaches the SkyGaza Awaits Palestine 36 on Monday

The film Palestine 36, the latest work by Palestinian director Ann Marie Jaser, continues to captivate audiences worldwide with its powerful messages, strong performances, and creative script.

As a global story, it is set to premiere in Gaza on Monday, December 22, 2025, at 3:30 PM (Palestine Time), in coordination with the Gaza International Women's Film Festival and in collaboration with Gaza Charity Kitchen. A post-screening virtual Q&A session will feature filmmakers and cast members, including Osama Bouardi, Ann Marie Jaser, Liam Cunningham, Hiam Abbass, and Saleh Bakri.

The global audience can follow the live session and submit questions via YouTube Live: [https://www.youtube.com/live/d06f6KnsS0M?si=P1KYKuis9jeAEF_d]

About Gaza International Women’s Film Festival

The festival was established to highlight the stories and issues of Palestinian women through cinema, creating an artistic platform that connects Palestine to the world, transcending borders and barriers.

About the Film

Set against the backdrop of 1936, Palestine 36 follows Yusuf, a young man navigating between his rural village and the tense streets of Jerusalem during one of the largest and longest uprisings against British colonial rule. The film features an international cast, including Hiam Abbass, Saleh Bakri, Kamel El Basha, Dhafer L’Abidine, Yasmine El Masri, Billy Howle, Liam Cunningham, Robert Aramayo, and Jeremy Irons.

Preparations began in January 2023, with large-scale set construction and restorations. Repeated lockdowns and forced relocations caused multiple delays, but filming resumed in Palestine after 13 months, completing the project after several stops and starts. The production itself became part of the film’s meaning—a work born in the heart of crises, grounded in reality, and carried by the belief that cinema is cultural memory and a necessity for survival.

Global Recognition and Awards

Palestine 36 has achieved outstanding international acclaim, receiving awards and premiers at various festivals:

• Academy Awards (98th edition) – Shortlisted for Best International Feature Film
• Tokyo International Film Festival – Tokyo Grand Prix (Governor of Tokyo Award)
• São Paulo International Film Festival – Audience Award for Best International Feature
• Asian World Film Festival – Snow Leopard Special Jury Award
• Asia Pacific Screen Awards – Best Screenplay Nomination
• European Film Awards – Shortlisted (2026 International Feature Selection)
• London Critics’ Circle Film Awards – Breakthrough Performance Nomination (Robert Aramayo)

It was also screened at TIFF, AFI Fest (Los Angeles), Rome Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, Carthage Film Days, Marrakech International Film Festival, and Red Sea International Film Festival, with ongoing releases in multiple regions.

A Milestone for Palestinian Cinema

Palestine 36 is the fourth film by Ann Marie Jaser submitted from Palestine to the Oscars International Feature Film category, following Salt of This Sea, When I Saw You, and Wajib. It is also the third Palestinian film to reach the shortlist in this category, after Omar (Hany Abu-Assad) and the anthology “Ghazzi from Zero Distance”.

Upcoming Screenings in the Arab World:

• 22 December 2025 (Monday, ديسمبر 22, 2025) – Palestine (Gaza): Palestinian Premiere
• January 2026 (يناير 2026) – Palestine: Nationwide release
• 31 December 2025 (ديسمبر 31, 2025) – Egypt
• 1 January 2026 (يناير 1, 2026) – Gulf & Mashreq: Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia
• 4 January 2026 (يناير 4, 2026) – Morocco
• 7 January 2026 (يناير 7, 2026) – Tunisia
• 29 January 2026 (يناير 29, 2026) – United Arab Emirates