From David Hare:
In her wonderful new essay ‘Recognizing the Stranger’, the Palestinian writer Isabella Hammad argues that all drama since the Greeks depends on the discovery and recognition of who the other person is. I cannot imagine any cause more important than reminding the world that the Palestinians are human beings, just as we are. The Leeds Palestinian Film Festival does exactly that.
All best wishes, David
From Victoria Brittain:
Warmest congratulations on your 10th anniversary.
I have twice had the honour to speak at your wonderful Palestine film festival. Each time I was so impressed by the breadth of your choices and your very engaged community here in Leeds.
At times as dark as these, Palestinian culture is our solace and strength. From the eternal words of Mahmoud Darwish to the new words of Gaza’s poets and writers, we are inspired to look to the future, when Palestine will be free.
Culture is indeed the core of Resistance
Wishing you the very best for the next 10 years, Victoria
From Anne-Marie Jacir:
The importance of Leeds Palestine Film Festival has always been obvious — but now more than ever, while the world watches the destruction of the Palestinian people live on TV — supporting our voices and our dreams is more critical than ever. We are still here!
From Ken Loach:
Congratulations to the Leeds Palestine Film Festival for ten years of
presenting Palestinian films. You have ensured that Palestinians can
tell their own stories in their own words, a stark contrast to the
mainstream media, who so often ignore them.
And we learn again to share our common humanity with a people who have
suffered unspeakable cruelty and persecution for more than a century….and
these films show that somehow the Palestinian spirit has remained
undefeated.
If art can nourish the spirit, we must also acknowledge the
responsibility of the artist. It is not enough to record, describe and
bear witness, we must also do what we can to be part of the resistance.
One contribution we can all make – support the BDS campaign and make it
as successful as possible.
Keep going, the struggle continues, solidarity, and Free Palestine.
From Farah Nabulsi
Well done to everyone involved in putting together the Leeds Palestine Film Festival. Now more than ever, it is crucial to tell our stories. The Palestinian narrative has been hijacked for far too long.
I deeply believe in the transformative power of cinema to raise the global social conscience, as Israel continues its genocide against the Palestinian people.
It is one of the most powerful and beautiful forms of human communication and art forms the world has ever known. Cinema has the unique ability to transcend borders, challenge stereotypes, and dismantle misconceptions. For those of us who create cinema, the process itself is profoundly cathartic and spiritual.
At this critical moment in time, I hope my film and those of others have not only taken you on emotional journeys but also offered a deeper, more human context – one that is too often missing from the mainstream discourse. I also hope and pray they ignite you to action to end such injustice
Much love to you all, and in the spirit of active solidarity.
Farah Nabulsi
