Annemarie Jacir’s "Palestine 36" lit up the Red Sea International Film Festival with a packed and warmly received Arab World premiere, marking an unforgettable night for the team and audience alike.
Presented as part of the festival’s Arab Spectacular Program, the screening drew an enthusiastic crowd that burst into generous applause as Jacir stepped onstage to introduce the film. Joining her were cast members Karim Daoud Anaya, Mariam Abu Khaled, Sofia Asir, Jalal Altawil, and Yahya Mahyani. Also in attendance at the event were Ziad Srouji and Amanda Turnbull from Rise Studios.
The energy in the room was unmistakable — a lively mix of pride, curiosity, and excitement as regional audiences finally encountered a story that has already traveled the world, building momentum and acclaim.
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.
The Red Sea premiere comes on the heels of a standout festival run. The film won the Audience Award at the São Paulo International Film Festival, earned a place on the shortlist for the 38th European Film Awards, received a Best Screenplay nomination at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, and claimed Best Film at the Tokyo International Film Festival. Its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival was a complete sell-out, with subsequent screenings at AFI Fest, Rome, Chicago, Cork, and Thessaloniki.
A co-production between Palestine, the UK, France, Denmark, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, the film includes a roster of A-list actors, with many of Palestinian origin, including Hiam Abbass (Paradise Now, Blade Runner 2049), 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.
It is also 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.
Annemarie Jacir has written, directed, and produced over 16 films, with premieres at prestigious festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Toronto, and Telluride. All four features she directed were Palestine's Oscar entries. She also directed the first feature by a Palestinian female director, the acclaimed Salt of This Sea — a FIPRESCI winner and her second work to debut at Cannes. "When I Saw You" won Best Asian Film at the Berlinale, and WAJIB garnered 36 awards, including those at Mar Del Plata, Dubai, and London.
As the founder of the independent production company Philistine Films, Jacir frequently collaborates with Arab filmmakers in roles including editor, screenwriter, and producer. She is deeply committed to working with local crews and nurturing emerging Arab talent through mentorship and training, actively supporting the growth of independent cinema across the region.
Jacir lives in Palestine and has served on juries for major film festivals, like Cannes, Berlin, and Sundance. She is a member of several prestigious film academies, including the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, BAFTA, and the Asia Pacific Screen Academy.
In her hometown of Bethlehem, she co-founded Dar Jacir, an independent, artist-run cultural space. Her work has been celebrated in retrospectives at venues like the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York and the Toronto International Film Festival.
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