Reel Palestine 2026 Returns to Dubai with a Powerful Celebration of Contemporary Palestinian Cinema

Reel Palestine is set to return to Dubai for its 12th edition, running from January 23 to February 1, 2026, at Cinema Akil. Over nine days, the festival will present a rich and carefully curated programme dedicated to contemporary Palestinian cinema, bringing together fiction, documentary, and short-form storytelling alongside cultural events that extend beyond the screen.

Presented by Bayt in partnership with Alserkal Avenue, Reel Palestine 2026 continues its role as a vital cultural platform, fostering dialogue, artistic exchange, and community connection through film.

A Diverse and Award-Recognised Film Programme

This year’s edition features 11 feature-length films, 5 short films, and 29 screenings, reflecting the breadth and depth of Palestinian filmmaking today. The programme includes two Academy Award-shortlisted titles, underscoring the growing global recognition of Palestinian voices in cinema.

Beyond screenings, audiences can expect filmmaker Q&As, workshops, and two weekends of the Reel Palestine Souk, creating an immersive cultural experience that blends cinema with conversation and creativity.

Opening Night: A Cannes-Premiered Drama from Gaza

Reel Palestine 2026 will open with the UAE premiere of Once Upon a Time in Gaza (2025) by brothers Arab and Tarzan Nasser. The award-winning drama, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, is set in Gaza in 2007 and follows two friends navigating loyalty, crime, and survival under siege.

The film explores themes of identity, power, and spectacle, offering a layered portrayal of life in Gaza. The opening night screening will be followed by an in-person Q&A with actor Majd Eid, giving audiences the chance to engage directly with one of the film’s key voices.

Spotlight on Annemarie Jacir

A key focus of the 2026 programme is acclaimed Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir, who will attend the festival for a masterclass and post-screening discussions.

Her latest feature, Palestine 36 (2025), is one of the festival’s Academy Award-nominated titles. Set during the British Mandate period, the film revisits Palestine in 1936 through the story of a young man torn between rural life and political upheaval, capturing a pivotal moment in Palestinian history.

In tribute to the late Palestinian actor and filmmaker Mohammad Bakri (1953–2025), Reel Palestine will also present a special screening of Jacir’s acclaimed film Wajib, honouring Bakri’s enduring legacy in Arab cinema.

Documentaries of Memory, Resilience, and Creativity

The documentary programme brings together deeply human stories rooted in endurance and creative expression:

• Put Your Soul in Your Hand and Walk (2025) by Sepideh Farsi, an intimate documentary built from video conversations with Gaza-based photojournalist Fatma Hassona, followed by an in-person Q&A with the director.
• The Clown of Gaza (2025), following performer Alaa Meqdad as he brings moments of joy to children amid devastation.
• One More Show (2025), documenting the Free Gaza circus troupe performing in defiance of despair.
• Palestine Comedy Club (2025), tracing the journeys of stand-up comedians navigating political and social constraints.
• Who Is Still Alive (2025), giving voice to nine Gazans recreating their neighbourhoods through chalk drawings as acts of memory and survival.

Additional documentary titles include With Hasan in Gaza (2025) and Habibi Hussein (2025).

Short Films and New Perspectives

The short film programme offers diverse reflections on identity, memory, and belonging, featuring works such as:

• Born A Celebrity by Luay Awad
• I’m Glad You’re Dead Now by Tawfeek Barhom
• BAISANOS, a documentary exploring the cultural connection between Palestine and Chile through football fandom

These films provide emerging and established filmmakers with a platform to experiment, reflect, and challenge dominant narratives.

Reel Palestine Souk and Cultural Programming

Running across two weekends, the Reel Palestine Souk will feature 50 Palestinian designers, artisans, and social enterprises, with 35 vendors participating each weekend. Hosted around Cinema Akil and KAVE at Alserkal Avenue, the Souk will showcase:

• Fashion and jewellery
• Crafts and homeware
• Books and art
• Select food offerings

The festival will also host a special exhibition of Palestinian National Team football shirts from collector Rakan Al-Hassoun’s personal archive, highlighting the intersection of sport, culture, and identity.

A Visual Identity Rooted in Arab Artistic Legacy

The 2026 visual identity is designed by Palestinian artist Rami Afifi, drawing inspiration from the legacy of Arabic illustration and political poster art. Referencing artists such as Helmi El Touni, Mohieddine Ellabbad, and Naji Al-Ali, the artwork reclaims a distinctly Arab visual language.

Woven throughout the design are symbols of Palestinian life, from Gaza’s fishermen to Jaffa’s orange groves, forming a visual narrative of culture, memory, and belonging.

Tickets, Partners, and Festival Details

Reel Palestine 2026 is supported by official partners Advanced Media, Bristol, Bark & Berg, Hikmat Palestine, The Giving Movement, and Alserkal Avenue, with communications led by Soul Communications and media partnership by Dazed Middle East.

Ticket prices (excluding VAT):

• AED 60 for regular screenings
• AED 70 for screenings with in-person Q&As
• AED 80 for masterclasses

Tickets are available exclusively via cinemaakil.com, with box office hours from 6pm to 10pm on weekdays and 3pm to 10pm on weekends.

A Festival of Cinema, Conversation, and Community

From January 23 to February 1, 2026, Reel Palestine returns to Cinema Akil as more than a film festival. It is a gathering of filmmakers, audiences, and creatives, united by storytelling, cultural exchange, and a shared commitment to amplifying Palestinian voices.

For Dubai audiences, Reel Palestine 2026 offers nine days of cinema that inform, move, and connect — reminding us of the enduring power of film to preserve memory and imagine futures.