Leeds Palestinian Film Festival

What we do

We aim to shine a light on Palestine – its people, history, culture and society – through showing compelling and thought-provoking films that are not readily available to general audiences in and around Leeds.

We show films that:
* delve beneath one-dimensional views of Palestinian people and politics
* include documentaries and feature films, rare works and art pieces
*are serious and light-hearted, painful and joyful
* are made by Palestinians and filmmakers internationally, established and emerging
have both popular and specialist appeal

Since the Festival launched in 2015, about 6,000 people have attended our screenings, with audience numbers rising over the years. Since March 2016 we have also had special showings to celebrate International Women’s Day. By 2019, the main festival was firmly established in Leeds cultural calendar, screening 12 films and including guest speakers. In 2020, necessity bred innovation and we held our first fully on-line festival, reaching beyond local and national borders. In 2021, under the theme of 'Behind the Headlines' we screened 8 films in venue, with all but one sold out, and offered 10 on-line films. We were also delighted to welcome many new people to the Festival.

Many screenings are enhanced with

guest film-makers and commentators
stalls selling Palestinian produce
food and refreshments
information about ways of supporting the Palestinian people

We are planning for a festival with predominantly 'live' screenings in November 2022.

Where possible our films are ‘pay as you feel’ and we provide full information on disabled access.