Gaza Cinema Academy Launches at Venice Film Festival to Amplify Local Voices
The Gaza Cinema Academy officially launched on Monday (September 7, 2026) at the Venice Film Festival, aiming to establish a sustainable space for film education and production in Gaza. Co-founded by Ezzaldeen Shalhah and Mai Masri, the academy seeks to empower a new generation of Gazan storytellers.
The short version
- The Gaza Cinema Academy officially launched on Monday, September 7, 2026, at the Venice Film Festival.
- Palestinian filmmaker Ezzaldeen Shalhah and director Mai Masri co-founded the academy to provide film education, training, and production opportunities in Gaza.
- The initiative aims to connect emerging Palestinian filmmakers with the international film community and preserve memory.
- A nine-month Gaza Filmmaking Diploma program, currently enrolling 25 young Palestinian women, began in March.
- Prominent figures like Hiam Abbass, Ramy Youssef, and Kaouther Ben Hania are among the academy's supporters.
The Gaza Cinema Academy officially launched on Monday (September 7, 2026) at the Venice Film Festival, establishing a crucial new space for film education and production amidst ongoing humanitarian challenges in Gaza. Co-founded by Palestinian filmmaker Ezzaldeen Shalhah and director Mai Masri, the academy aims to empower a new generation of Gazan storytellers and connect them with the international film community, as reported by outlets including Variety and The Express Tribune.
What is the Gaza Cinema Academy's mission?
The Gaza Cinema Academy's primary mission is to establish a sustainable space for film education, training, and production within Gaza. It seeks to provide opportunities for people in Gaza to study filmmaking, gain practical experience, and produce their own films, emphasizing the creation of avenues for young people and women to tell their own stories through cinema. Co-founder Ezzaldeen Shalhah stated, “In Gaza, cinema is not merely an art form; it is a means of preserving memory, reclaiming our right to shape our own image, and giving a new generation the tools to tell its own story.” The academy also aims to connect emerging Palestinian filmmakers with the wider international film community.
Who is involved in supporting this initiative?
The academy was co-founded by Palestinian filmmaker Ezzaldeen Shalhah, who also founded the Gaza International Women's Film Festival, and acclaimed Palestinian director Mai Masri. The initiative has garnered significant support from prominent figures in the film industry. These include Palestinian actor Hiam Abbass, US-Egyptian comedian and filmmaker Ramy Youssef, Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, who won a Silver Lion at Venice in 2025 and is a 2026 Venice jury member, and Palestinian director Annemarie Jacir. Other notable backers include Palestinian actor Saleh Bakri, Italian producer Graziella Bildesheim, and Alaa Karkouti, co-founder of Cairo-based Mad Solutions.
What educational programs are currently underway?
A nine-month Gaza Filmmaking Diploma program, which began in March, is currently underway. This program enrolls 25 young Palestinian women, combining academic instruction with practical filmmaking. Participants are acquiring technical skills while developing their own film projects, providing a direct avenue for creative expression and skill development, according to statements by co-founders.
What is the context of the academy's launch?
The launch of the Gaza Cinema Academy occurs as Gaza continues to face devastating humanitarian conditions and catastrophic levels of destruction following the escalation of the conflict in October 2023. Muslim Network TV and Dawn Images explicitly referenced the destruction as “genocide” in their reporting. The academy's establishment builds on previous efforts, such as the Gaza International Women's Film Festival, which held its first edition in October 2025 amidst the devastation, opening with “The Voice of Hind Rajab.” Palestinian cinema is also represented in the current 2026 Venice Film Festival with films like “Citizen Osama” by Ahmed Hassouna and “Conversation With the Sea” by Muayad Alayan. Organizations like the Palestine Film Institute (PFI), established in 2019, and the Palestinian Film Forum also work to support Palestinian film culture.
What are the future plans for the Gaza Cinema Academy?
Organizers plan to expand the initiative into a full filmmaking degree program that could receive accreditation from Al Quds Open University. The academy also aims to establish links with international film festivals and cultural organizations, and to collaborate with film funds and production companies. These partnerships are intended to give Palestinian filmmakers greater access to the global film industry and audiences outside Gaza, as reported by The National News.
Mai Masri stated, "Supporting a new generation of filmmakers in Gaza means giving them a space to express their reality, memory and dreams. We believe that creativity and cinema can empower, preserve human memory, and build bridges that transcend borders.”
Frequently asked questions
When was the Gaza Cinema Academy officially launched?
The Gaza Cinema Academy officially launched on Monday, September 7, 2026, during the Venice Film Festival.
What are the long-term goals for the Gaza Cinema Academy?
Organizers aim to expand the current diploma program into a full filmmaking degree, potentially accredited by Al Quds Open University. They also plan to establish partnerships with international film festivals, cultural organizations, film funds, and production companies to provide global access for Palestinian filmmakers.
Reported by the RevReck Newsroom from the reporting linked below, with AI assistance in drafting, under editorial rules covering accuracy, attribution and what we will not publish. Read our editorial standards, or email corrections to operations@revreck.com.