In the context of international initiatives aimed at supporting Palestinian cultural production, a notable mention goes to the Al Ard Film Festival held in Cagliari in the island of Sardinia since 2002, which has been shining a light on Palestine and the Arab world for 22 years, celebrating its 20th edition this past February. Here is a link to 20th edition Awards
As can be seen from its website, the Al Ard Film Festival offers a rich program of film subdivided into many sections, endeavoring to raise awareness on a wide array of Palestinian issues, through movies and documentaries as vital art forms. Run entirely by volunteers, over the years the festival has had a broad following and support in the local communities and has sought to form permanent ties with young people by working in the schools, setting up film making workshops, developing ongoing relations with the teachers. The press release issued this year gives a sense for the importance assigned to outreach.
The press release for the 21st edition to be held February 2025 also pays special attention to relations with schools and the involvement of students:
On the occasion of the XXI Edition of the Al Ard Film Festival, the Sardinia-Palestine Friendship Association announces a special competition named after Palestinian writer Ghassan Kanafani, now in third year. The founding of the Al Ard Film Festival was spurred by the need to promote and deepen knowledge of the history and culture of the Middle East and, in particular, Palestine. Through the films it selects, it also aims to counter media disinformation on the causes and events that have determined the current political and social situation in countries geographically and historically close to us. This scenario has taken a turn for the worse since 2023 due to the war and occupation still underway in Gaza and the West Bank and in the countries of the Near East, wars which have mostly affected the civilian population. Palestinians are undergoing a deep humanitarian crisis which not even international law has been able to halt. The situation is particularly dire for young people who for the past two years have been denied access to school and university education, with no prospects for a change in the foreseeable future. In addition to the screening and discussion of the films selected for the competition, the Al Ard Film Festival features a series of collateral events including theatrical performances and concerts; book presentation and poetry readings; meetings with authors, critics and directors; seminars for teachers. Among the various initiatives, there is a day dedicated to secondary school students, with film screenings including Q&A and discussion with the directors. Based on the success of previous editions, as part of the “Palestine in the classroom” initiative, the organizers are proud to announce that the film competition “Ghassan Kanafani” shall also be part of the XXI Edition of Al Ard Film Festival. Its specific aim is to promote research skills and in-depth work among the youth, through workshops that develop and enhance their audio-visual skills and guide them in making shorts on the historical, cultural, artistic and social aspects of the countries of the Near East, and in particular Palestine. The competition is dedicated to the memory of Ghassan Kanafani, famous Palestinian writer, activist and politician, killed in Beirut, at the age of 36, on July 8, 1972.
Besides special events aimed at high school students as spectators, students have been stimulated to participate in film making workshops and activities such as the ones detailed in this call issued to the Arts and Music High School to participate in the “Ghassan Kanafani” festival subsection. Among the fruit of such hand on activities, we present two shorts here, The Palestinian Thirst for Water and Unchilding, made by two different classes of high school students participating in the youth project of the 2024 20th edition of the festival.
The festival has developed ties with the University of Cagliari instituting events that earn credits for attending university students.
