Saturday, April 12, 1:00 p.m. | Halima, a six-year old girl, was hurled away from her brother after an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. She was thought dead after the fatal injury to her brain and buried. It wasn’t until her cousin discovered her barely moving finger that the story of a child martyr would transform into one of rebirth, and an embodiment of hope. The documentary sheds light on the tormenting trauma of war endured by Gaza's children, reflecting the voice of those whose innocence was stolen from them, and confronts the horrors of war through the eyes of a child and the resilience of a girl who chose to continue to sing louder than war plane roars.
Preceded by:
RESTRICTED
2025, dir. Tamer Zakaria Shawamra, 8 min, Palestine, In Arabic with English subtitles
Reem, a talented Palestinian runner, succeeds after years of rigorous training in qualifying for the finals of a world championship — only for her dream to shatter against the wall of occupation, which denies her the right to participate.
KHALED AND NEMA
2024, dir. Sohail Dahdal, 18 min, Palestine, In Arabic with English subtitles
Khaled, a 10-year-old Bedouin boy, and his trusted goat Nema embark on a mission to bring Abu Mariam’s memory back. Abu Mariam, who lost his memory to Alzheimer's, is the only one with the power to save their village from demolition by the Israeli army. Will Khaled help him get his memory back in time to save the village?
BETWEEN SKY AND SEA
2025, dir. Ismail Abu Hatab, 30 min, Palestine, In Arabic with English subtitles
A commemoration of the late filmmaker and photojournalist Ismail Abu Hatab, Between Sky and Sea explores the art exhibit of the same name that he launched capturing life in Gaza beyond just war and rubble. Accompanied by a moving tribute from his brother, the film traces a quiet, powerful journey of survival while exploring the enduring meaning of home.
Chicago Palestine Film Festival | April 11–25, 2026
Founded in 2001, the Chicago Palestine Film Festival (CPFF), a program of the Middle East Charitable and Cultural Society Inc., a non-profit organization, is an annual cultural event that serves as a vibrant platform for showcasing the rich and diverse narratives of Palestinian cinema. Film synopses provided by CPFF. Learn more at palestinefilmfest.com.
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