via Mashawari Films
The Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) continues its commitment to spotlight Palestinian filmmaking with the 45th edition’s opening film, Passing Dreams from Palestine, also competing in the International Film Competition. This year’s edition further emphasises its focus on the From Ground Zero Special Program.
From The Ground Zero Special Program
In this edition, the From Ground Zero project will be screened at CIFF as a part of its special programs. From Ground Zero is a project that consists of the work of 22 artists from Gaza and is organised by the Mashawari Fund for filmmakers in Gaza. The project provides an essential tool for narrating that gives deep and critical insights into the ongoing events. We’re thrilled to give a glimpse into what these 22 short films are and what they’re about.
1- Awakening
An animated short film directed by Mahdi Kreirah is about a father who regains his memories of the war explosion after 10 years of memory loss.
2- All Is Fine
A short documentary directed by Nidal Damo. The documentary narrates the daily struggles of displacement survivors in a satiric way.
3- A School Day
A short film directed by Ahmed Al Danaf. The film follows the character of Ziad, a student on his way to school who finds himself sitting in front of his teacher’s grave.
4- Charm
A short film directed by Bashar Al Balbisi. It’s about a dancer who tries to contact her friends telepathically after the war has separated them.
5- Echo
A short documentary directed by Mustafa Kolab that documents a long night at the Gaza shore with the sounds of bombs, cries for help, and ambulances.
6- Flashback
A short documentary directed by Islam Al Zeriei shows Farah, aged fifteen, using music and dance to ignore the sounds of war.
7- Farah and Myriam
A short documentary directed by Wissam Moussa narrates the story of 10-year-old Farah, who tries to face daily life after losing her friend, Myriam.
8- Fragments
Video art, directed by Basel El-Maqousi, captures Sequential images to show the journey of searching for life amid destruction.
9- Hell’s Haven
A short docu-drama, directed by Karim Satoum, tells the story of Karim who wakes up panicking and covered in a white shroud.
10- Jad and Natalie
A short documentary directed by Aws Al Banna shows Aws returning to his collapsed neighbourhood and observing his shattered dreams.
11- No Signal
A short film directed by Muhammed Al-Sharif. The film tells the story of a confused man who suffers from uncertainty and refuses to accept his brother’s death.
12- No
A short documentary directed by Hana Eleiwa that documents a journey of trying to find joy amid destruction.
13- Offerings
A short film directed by Mustafa Al-Nabih follows a novelist who wakes up to observe destruction and displacement.
14- Out of Frame
A short documentary directed by Nedaa Abu Hasna shows a visual artist returning to his demolished studio to hold an exhibition.
15- Overload
A short experimental film directed by Alaa Islam Ayoub shows Alaa, during the displacement, trying to imagine herself as a prisoner in a novel.
16- Recycling
A short documentary directed by Rabab Khamis shows a family trying to survive while staying on the roof of an old building and suffering from water scarcity.
17- Selfie
A short documentary directed by Reem Mahmoud is about a woman who throws a bottle of her old photos and memories to keep them alive.
18- Soft Skin
A short animation directed by Khamis Masharawi is about how six children see the war through their eyes.
19- SORRY CINEMA
A short documentary directed by Ahmed Hassouna shows a filmmaker apologising to cinema as his priorities change during that pivotal moment.
20- Taxi Wanissa
A short film directed by Etimad Washah is about a donkey named Wanissa who refuses to leave her owner behind after his death.
21- The Teacher
A short documentary directed by Tamer Nijim shows the real experience of a displaced teacher in his fifties trying to meet his daily needs.
Gaza Film Jury
This jury was created specifically to recognise Gaza's outstanding filmmaking capabilities and to choose the winner of this special program. The jury consists of three members, Kinda Alloush, Ahmed Shawky, and Gaby Khoury.
