Oscar-shortlisted PALESTINE 36 makes a bold entrance at Kenya’s Unseen Nairobi

PALESTINE 36 to screen 25 times at Kenya’s Unseen Nairobi

After a wide theatrical release across the Arab world and an extensive festival run, Annemarie Jacir’s historical drama PALESTINE 36 — shortlisted for both the Oscars and the European Film Awards — will be showcased at Kenya’s Unseen Nairobi, with 25 screenings scheduled throughout April.

The film will begin screening on Wednesday, April 1st at 9 pm and will then be shown on Friday, April 3rd at 9 pm; Saturday, April 4th at 7 pm; Sunday, April 5th at 7 pm; Monday, April 6th at 7 pm; Tuesday, April 7th at 9 pm; Thursday, April 9th at 9 pm; Friday, April 10th at 7 pm; Saturday, April 11th at 9 pm; Sunday, April 12th at 7 pm; and Monday, April 13th at 9 pm.

Further screenings will be on Tuesday, April 14th at 7 pm; Wednesday, April 15th at 9 pm; Thursday, April 16th at 7 pm; Friday, April 17th at 9 pm; Saturday, April 18th at 9 pm; Sunday, April 19th at 7 pm; Monday, April 20th at 7 pm; Tuesday, April 21st at 9 pm; Thursday, April 23rd at 9 pm; Friday, April 24th at 7 pm; Saturday, April 25th at 9 pm; Monday, April 27th at 9 pm; Tuesday, April 28th at 7 pm; and concluding on Thursday, April 30th at 9 pm.

A revisit of the events leading to the Arab Revolt of 1936, PALESTINE 36 follows Yusuf as he drifts between his rural home and the restless energy of Jerusalem, longing for a future beyond the growing unrest of 1936 Mandate Palestine, where several villages were rising up against British rule.

However, history is relentless; with rising numbers of Jewish immigrants escaping an increasingly fascist Europe and Palestinian calls for independence, all sides spiral towards inevitable collision in a decisive moment for the British Empire and the future of the entire region.

Following its sold‑out world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, the film embarked on an extensive festival tour, winning numerous awards, including the Audience Award at the São Paulo International Film Festival, Best Film at the Tokyo International Film Festival, the Snow Leopard Special Jury Award at the Asian World Film Festival, and the Audience Award at the Arab Film Festival in San Francisco.

It was further distinguished on some of the world’s most prestigious awards platforms, including the Academy Awards — where it was shortlisted for Best International Feature Film — the European Film Awards, where it was also shortlisted, and the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, where it earned a nomination for Best Screenplay.

PALESTINE 36 includes a roster of A-list actors, with many of Palestinian origin, including Hiam Abbass (PARADISE NOW, BLADE RUNNER 49), Palestinian cinema and theater icon Kamel El Basha, Saleh Bakri (SALT OF THIS SEA), and Yasmine Al-Massri (Netflix’s CASTLEVANIA, THANK YOU FOR BANKING WITH US!), alongside top-shot British actor Jeremy Irons, the acclaimed Tunisian actor and model Dhafer L’Abidine, Billy Howle, GAME OF THRONES stars Liam Cunningham and Robert Aramayo, Syrian actor Jalal Altawil, as well as the debuting Yafa Bakri and Karim Daoud Anaya.

The film is produced by Ossama Bawardi, with co-production by Azzam Fakhrildin, Cat Villiers, Hani Farsi, Nils Åstrand, Olivier Barbier, Katrin Pors, Hamza Ali, and Elissa Pierre (through Philistine Films, Autonomous, Corniche Media, MK Productions, and Snowglobe); cinematography by Hélène Louvart; and music by Ben Frost. It is also distributed in the Arab World by MAD Distribution.