Saturday, May 4, 7:00 p.m. | LYD follows the rise and fall of Lyd—a 5,000-year-old metropolis that was once a bustling Palestinian town until it was conquered when the State of Israel was established in 1948. As the film unfolds, a chorus of characters creates a tapestry of the Palestinian experience of this city and the trauma left by the massacre and expulsion. LYD is the story of a city that once connected Palestine to the world—what it once was, what it is now, and what it could have become. Preceded by RESISTANCE CLIMBING (2023, dirs. Nick Rosen & Zachary Barr, 37 min.). In the strife-torn hills of Palestine, a diverse crew of Bedouins and urban professionals embrace climbing as a much-needed respite from the burdens of the Israeli occupation. American writer and climber Andrew Bisharat visits the West Bank to explore his own roots and the transformational power of climbing as resistance.

SOLD OUT: A limited waitlist will open at the box office one hour before all sold out screenings. Any available tickets will be released to the waitlist when the screening begins. Waitlist does not guarantee entry, limit one spot per person present. No email or phone reservations - must reserve in-person.

Awards & Nominations

Winner - FIPRESCI Award, Best Feature Length Arab Documentary, Amman International Film Festival

Chicago Palestine Film Festival: Founded in 2001, the Chicago Palestine Film Festival (CPFF) is an annual cultural event that serves as a vibrant platform for showcasing the rich and diverse narratives of Palestinian cinema. The festival provides a unique space for filmmakers, artists, and audience members to engage with compelling stories that explore the multifaceted aspects of Palestinian life. View full festival.

The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu