Palestinian filmmakers have launched the "Gaza Film Academy," timed to coincide with the Venice International Film Festival, aiming to support Palestinian filmmakers and establish sustainable film education, training, and production in the Gaza Strip.
اضافة اعلان
The new initiative has received backing from prominent names in Palestinian cinema and television, chief among them Izzeldin Shalha and Mai Masri, alongside Annemarie Jacir, Hiam Abbass, and Saleh Bakri.
Egyptian actor and director Rami Youssef and Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania, a member of this year's Venice Film Festival jury, also took part in launching and supporting the academy.
The academy's founding builds on a path that began in 2024 through a filmmaking diploma program in Gaza, which moved into implementation in March 2026 with the participation of 25 young Palestinian women.
The academy is working to develop a university degree program in filmmaking in partnership with Al-Quds Open University.
The academy has also extended an invitation to film and cultural institutions, festivals, film funds, production companies, filmmakers, and relevant organizations around the world to collaborate with it and establish partnerships that would help develop its programs.
The Gaza Film Academy focuses on several tracks, including film education and training, supporting young talent and women, developing and producing new Palestinian films, and strengthening connections between filmmakers in Gaza and the Palestinian, Arab, and international film communities.
The academy also aims to build a network of international partners to support emerging filmmaking talent in Gaza, provide learning and production opportunities, and help their films reach festivals, platforms, and audiences around the world.
Gaza-based director and academic Izzeldin Shalha is known as the founder and president of the Jerusalem International Film Festival, as well as the founder and president of the Gaza International Women's Film Festival, and has numerous contributions and documentary films focused on the Palestinian cause and women's rights.
Mai Masri is considered one of the pioneers of Palestinian cinema, with her most notable works including the 2015 film 3000 Nights, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival before screening at a number of festivals around the world.
The academy's launch coincides with the participation of two Palestinian films in this year's Venice Film Festival official selection: Ordinary Citizen Osama, directed by Ahmad Hassouna, and Dialogue with the Sea, directed with by Muayad Alayan.
Source: Al-Ghad.
