The 24th annual Chicago Palestine Film Festival kicked off on Saturday, shedding light on the various aspects of Palestinian culture and tradition during a time when Palestinian existence and resilience are sharply scrutinized.
Running through April 26, the festival is hosted primarily at the Gene Siskel Film Center, featuring an array of film screenings, panel discussions, and social gatherings.
According to Nina Shoman-Dajani, the executive director of the Chicago Palestine Film Festival, the event aims to highlight the works of Palestinian filmmakers who focus on the history, culture, and lived experiences of Palestinians living under military occupation.
“This festival also serves as a platform to promote the Palestinian experience in the diaspora, capturing the everyday lives of Palestinians from Chicago to Gaza,” Shoman-Dajani stated.
Notably, Shoman-Dajani pointed out that the films showcased do not solely hone in on themes of occupation or current events in Gaza.
“At a time when Israel has resumed its military actions in Gaza, including bombings and ground operations following a two-month cease-fire, we also celebrate Palestinian joy, culture, traditions, music, and art,” she emphasized.
In total, the festival will screen approximately 40 films this year, spanning various genres from narrative features to documentaries, shorts, and animated works, contributing to the diverse storytelling of Palestinian life.
With some screenings already sold out, the festival organizers have planned encore screenings for later in April and May for film enthusiasts who might have missed out.
Shoman-Dajani, a first-generation Palestinian American, expressed her deep commitment to keeping her community’s stories alive.
“It’s a tremendous opportunity to share the stories of my ancestors and my community with the world, and honor them through the work we do at the festival,” she commented.
“The importance of uplifting the lived experiences of the Palestinian people has been magnified in a climate that seems intent on erasing Palestinian narratives.”
Jameeleh Shelo, a Chicago native and former executive director of the festival, is also contributing to the event with her film “Khsara.”
Co-executive produced with fellow Chicagoan Dean Bushala, the Emmy-nominated documentary short follows three doctors who documented their humanitarian efforts in war-torn Gaza using compact cameras a little over a year ago.
Bushala commented, “The film reveals how the rules of war have significantly changed.
In the current landscape, we are witnessing violence targeting medical aid and hospitals — areas that were previously considered safe.”
The filmmakers hope the film will resonate with viewers and inspire emotional connections, aligning with the festival’s goal of being a nurturing space for filmmakers.
Shelo expressed her hopes for the film festival, saying she submitted “Khsara” without seeking special treatment due to her previous affiliation with the organization.
Uncertain if her project would be selected amidst a plethora of submissions, she shared, “The festival has evolved tremendously over the years.
It’s exhilarating to witness and to be a part of it, even now as a filmmaker and supporter.”
Shelo believes that the festival offers a powerful avenue to move beyond a narrative centered on victimhood that is often associated with Palestinians.
“Palestinian resistance manifests in various forms,” she said, emphasizing film as a particularly impactful medium, despite the associated risks.
She referred to a recent attack on Hamdan Ballal, co-director of the film “No Other Land,” which he produced in collaboration with an Israeli filmmaker.
Ballal endured physical assault and detention by Israeli settlers shortly after his film won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature.
“It is evident that Palestinians recognize the stakes involved in telling our stories, particularly when our reality is being suppressed,” Shelo noted.
“If someone at the pinnacle of their profession, like an Oscar winner, can face such repercussions, it emphasizes the need for us to be even more vocal and resilient in sharing our narratives to prevent future injustices.”
Naif Salem, a Chicagoan born and raised in the area, remarked that his Palestinian identity is integral to who he is.
His animated short film, “The Olive Tree Said To Me,” draws from his children’s book of the same name, detailing a young girl learning about the olive harvest in Palestine.
Salem expressed his motivation to create children’s books that feature Palestinian stories to rectify the current market’s lack of representation.
His fourth book is set to be released later this year, underscoring his commitment to storytelling.
“Ensuring our stories are out there is pivotal for me, and I aspire to continue sharing these tales and amplifying the voices within our community,” Salem said passionately.
He expressed his enthusiasm seeing that several screenings at the festival are already sold out, hoping that it continues to flourish and evolve into an even grander representation of Palestinian artistry.
Bayan Jarad, a Palestinian resident of Chicago and a Columbia College graduate, is also contributing her film “Memoirs of a Mozlem” to the festival.
The film, which served as her capstone project for her animation degree, features a character that reflects her own experiences with prejudice during her college years.
Jarad remarked, “The hate she encounters doesn’t breed hatred within her.
Instead, she rises above it and ultimately has positive encounters that reaffirm her belief in the kindness of others.”
She expressed pride in having her animated short film featured among a supportive, pro-Palestinian audience, hoping it can expand its reach and garner more awareness for the Palestinian cause.
Shoman-Dajani outlined this year’s festival theme as “rooted in the Palestinian harvest,” a tribute to the land and the blessings it yields.
In addition to the annual film festival, the organization engages in events year-round across campuses and community centers, often collaborating with other groups to stimulate dialogue through the arts.
“People don’t need any prior knowledge to come and experience our films,” Shoman-Dajani assured, highlighting the welcoming atmosphere and the involvement of a diverse, multigenerational audience.
She continued, “The best way to grasp our mission is to come and see a film firsthand and be part of the experience.”
Attendees often find the festival to be more than just screenings; it fosters community engagement, networking, and unity among individuals who share a commitment to amplifying Palestinian narratives.
“It’s an opportunity to educate the public about the ongoing situation in Palestine, but also to share the everyday lives and stories of the Palestinian people,” she concluded.
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