A festival of fearless Palestinian stories that challenge, move, and stay with you long after the credits roll

Reel Palestine Film Festival returns to Cinema Akil in Alserkal Avenue in Dubai this week, running for 10 days from Friday, January 23, to February 1, 2026.

Expect a curated programme of Palestinian cinema across fiction, documentary, and short form.

And on opening night, visitors will be treated to the UAE premiere of Once Upon a Time in Gaza by Arab and Tarzan Nasser. The story follows two friends in Gaza in 2007 as they navigate loyalty, crime, and survival under siege, before turning its gaze toward questions of identity, power, and the spectacle of violence. Actor Majd Eid will also be in attendance for a post-screening Q&A.

*Hamlet comes to life on stage this weekend, with a modern twist*

What’s On the big screen?

For your viewing pleasure, the program includes 11 feature-length films, 5 short films, and 29 screenings, including two Academy Award-shortlisted titles, reflecting the breadth of contemporary Palestinian cinema.

Here’s are a few higlights:

• Palestine 36 (2025)  by Annemarie Jacir – one of the festival’s Academy Award–nominated titles
• Put Your Soul in Your Hand and Walk (2025) by Sepideh Farsi
• All That’s Left of You (2025) by Cherien Dabis – an Academy Award-nominated title
• The Clown of Gaza (2025) by Abdulrahman Sabbah
• One More Show (2025) by Mai Saad and Ahmed El Danafi
• Palestine Comedy Club (2025) by Alaa Aliabdallah
• Who Is Still Alive (2025) by Nicolas Wadimoff
• Born A Celebrity (2024) by Luay Awad
• Gaza Bride 17 (2024) by Waseem Khair
• BAISANOS (2025) by Francisca Khamis Giacoman
• I’m Glad You’re Dead Now (2025) by Tawfeek Barhom

Book here.

And there’s more to experience

Reel Palestine Souk

Running over two weekends of the festival, Reel Palestine Souk will bring together 50 Palestinian designers, artisans, collectives, and social enterprises, with 35 vendors participating each weekend.

It will showcase Palestinian culture through fashion, crafts, jewellery, homeware, art, books, and select food offerings, while creating a vibrant space for community, cultural exchange, and support for independent makers.

Back at Cinema Akil, there will be a masterclass with Annemarie Jacir alongside an exclusive exhibition of Palestinian National Team football shirts from the personal collection of collector Rakan Al-Hassoun, on view at KAVE.

See you there!

Important details

Location: Reel Palestine Film Festival in Dubai, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai
Dates: January 23, to February 1, 2026
Tickets: From Dhs60
@cinemaakil

Images: Supplied 

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