Gaza’s women filmmakers turn pain into cinema as new academy launches | Israel-Palestine conflict News
Al-Bureij, Gaza Strip – An 11-minute documentary titled A Sack of Flour, directed by emerging filmmaker Mona Abu Qass, explores the impact of starvation tactics employed against Palestinians in Gaza amid ongoing conflict. The film premiered Monday alongside four other documentaries by Palestinian women at the second Gaza International Women’s Film Festival, which also marked the official launch of the Gaza Cinema Academy.
The festival took place in the al-Nakheel Hall in Al-Bureij, a venue that bears the scars of destruction, much like much of the Gaza Strip, which has suffered extensive damage in the war that has claimed more than 74,000 Palestinian lives over three years.
- A Sack of Flour* highlights the struggles faced by Palestinians as they navigate food shortages, the perils of aid distribution, and the loss of loved ones in their quest for basic sustenance. Through Abu Qass’s personal experiences, the documentary delves into the lingering effects of hunger on families, even after food becomes accessible again.
“The idea for the film stems from a personal experience and a true story,” Abu Qass explained. “It documents daily life in Gaza, weighed down by bombardment, destruction, siege, hunger, and loss.” She added that her goal is to convey the depth of suffering while portraying the resilience of the people.
Another featured film, Beyond Silence, directed by Raghda al-Buhaisi, tells the story of a deaf artist grappling with immense loss in Gaza. His art studio was destroyed, and his family sustained casualties during the conflict. Displaced to Deir el-Balah, he was taken in by a new family, who set up a small studio for him. His artwork poignantly conveys the struggles of individuals with disabilities amid the ongoing turmoil.
Al-Buhaisi stated, “I want to highlight the additional challenges people with disabilities face during war, including displacement, family loss, and the destruction of livelihoods.” She emphasized the power of art as a universal language capable of expressing the pain of Gaza’s inhabitants.
The festival featured three additional documentaries by Palestinian women filmmakers: Soso: The Lifeline, Remnants of Light, and Dandana. These films further reflect the harsh realities of life in Gaza and the emotional fallout of conflict.
- Soso: The Lifeline follows an orphaned child and his donkey as they provide support to those in need. In Remnants of Light, a filmmaker grapples with losing her family and home, while Dandana* centers on a mother mourning the loss of eight children and finding solace in Palestinian music.
All five documentaries emerged from a filmmaking diploma program that commenced in March, uniting 25 young women from the region.
Festival director Ezzedine Shallah noted that the showcased films draw from the lived experiences of women and girls during wartime, providing them with a platform to share their stories. “Though their subjects differ, the films turn individual pain into broader human stories, revealing war’s psychological and social scars,” he said.
The festival, which runs until October 31, includes 73 films from 24 countries and aims to promote the creative talents of female filmmakers from Gaza and beyond.
However, the pursuit of filmmaking in Gaza remains fraught with significant challenges, including the destruction of cultural institutions, limited access to resources, and the ongoing impacts of war. Filmmaker Rima Mahmoud, a co-founder of the festival, noted that many young women face obstacles in accessing training and funding, compelling some to adopt simplified methods and self-fund their projects.
“Despite limited resources, these films deserve international exposure,” Mahmoud asserted. “Their makers need technical and financial support, translation, and partnerships with festivals and platforms.”
Palestinian filmmaker Mai Masri, another co-founder of the festival, emphasized that these projects enable young women to narrate their stories, resist cultural erasure, and preserve their collective memory. The newly established Gaza Cinema Academy, in partnership with al-Quds Open University and accredited by the Palestinian Ministry of Education, aims to further empower these filmmakers.
Masri indicated that efforts are underway to help filmmakers gain access to international festivals and screen their work globally. “This would bring the voices of Palestinian women to a global audience, shine a light on their experiences, and bolster Palestinian cinema’s presence on the international stage,” she said.
