The Palestine Film Institute (PFI) announced this week the launch of the Palestine Film Fund (PFF), a funding initiative dedicated to “supporting Palestinian filmmakers across the globe in creating authentic narratives and reclaiming control over their own images and stories.”
The key objectives of the PFI Film Fund include:
- Defending Palestinian autonomy over their own stories and images
- Supporting documentary and other cinema told through a Palestinian perspective
- Creating impact by expanding the reach of Palestinian films to global audiences
- Advocating for sustainable film production models
- Increasing availability of sectoral support to Palestinian filmmakers
Grants ranging from €5,000 to €15,000 will be awarded to short or feature films at various stages of development and production, providing both financial and sectoral support to all Palestinian filmmakers regardless of their place of residence or nationality working in challenging circumstances globally. Priority will be given to those based in Palestine, in lower income countries, or in regions where discrimination against Palestinian voices restricts access to funding opportunities.
“For more than a century, Palestinians have created powerful images, films, sounds and narratives documenting our people’s experiences, yet these images have often been silenced, erased, or used against us,” said Reem Shadid, Executive Board Member of PFI.
“In this most critical time for Palestinian cinema, we are extremely grateful for the incredible collaboration and support of the Fund’s founding partners – IDFA Bertha Fund led by Selin Murat, International Media Support’s Rasmus Steen and Rima Mismar of Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC), and for additional support from IRIS. The Palestine Film Fund represents a critical step toward ensuring Palestinian filmmakers have the resources and support to tell our own stories, shape contemporary narratives, and build a lasting audiovisual archive that reflects our experiences from within.”
Added Rasmus Steen, Head of Documentary, IMS: “It is more important than ever to support documentaries from Palestine and empower Palestinian filmmakers to tell their own stories in a situation that seems to be described by everyone but Palestinians. By documenting the current situation, we ensure that future generations have access to authentic narratives. Making documentary films is also contributing to the history books. Who knows, one day we may be able to learn from this history and hopefully do better.”
IDFA Bertha Fund’s Selin Murat said: “The launch of this fund comes at a critical moment where it is urgent to support the autonomous, critical, and artistic voices of Palestinian filmmakers worldwide. We strongly believe in this mandate and our partners’ shared vision of a vibrant Palestinian filmmaking community firmly connected to the global film landscape, through direct funding and tailored support.”
Rima Mismar of AFAC commented: “We are honored to partner with PFI in launching their fund. Since the inception of AFAC, we have anticipated the emergence of more film funds in the region to enhance support for local filmmakers. After two years of genocide in Gaza and the silencing of Palestinian voices and their supporters worldwide, a fund specifically dedicated to Palestinian filmmakers and focused on nurturing Palestinian stories represents a significant step forward. It is one way to ensure that Palestinian stories are told through cinema. Our ongoing support for the Palestine Film Institute reflects our commitment, and we view this milestone as one of many developments to come. ”
The Palestine Film Fund builds on PFI’s work since its founding in 2019, which includes organising mentorship, exhibition and promotion of Palestinian films to international audiences at global film festivals and through its established Palestine Film Platform (PFP). The Fund continues to actively look for additional partners to join its network of individuals and organisations committed to empowering Palestinian filmmakers, organisers write.
The application process will entail a two-stage approach that begins with a simple initial application, which will be accepted in both English and Arabic. This approach “aims to reduce barriers to entry” and welcome a diverse range of Palestinian voices and perspectives.
The first call for applications will open in September 2025, with selections to be announced in November 2025. Full application guidelines and criteria will be available on the PFI website.
At Cannes Docs, the Palestinian project Asphalt by Hamza Hamideh won the EFTA Award which offers a €10,000 cash prize and project follow-up by IEFTA. The jury statement read: “We selected this project for the director’s sensibility to capture on camera the cinematic moments of everyday life with humour and sorrow. The immediacy and subtlety in the portrayal of the protagonist and his community are a reminder of what it means to live and resist, even in the face of displacement, inhumanity and oppression.”
