For its 36th edition, the Carthage Film Days will open with a story rooted in memory and resistance: Palestine 36, the new feature by Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir.
The festival has confirmed that Palestine 36 will launch the 2025 edition, held from December 13 to 20. Founded in 1966, the JCC is the oldest film festival in Africa and the Arab world, known for championing political cinema, independent voices, and films that confront the regionâs histories and identities. Choosing Palestine 36 perfectly aligns with this legacy.
Set against the backdrop of 1936 Palestine, the film follows Yusuf as he navigates between his village and Jerusalem at a time of rising resistance to British rule. Through personal journeys overshadowed by forces far greater than them, the film weaves intimate storytelling with collective memoryâhallmarks of Jacirâs filmmaking.
This opening carries added significance as Palestine 36 has been selected by the Palestinian Ministry of Culture as the countryâs official submission for the 2026 Academy Awards. The choice underscores the filmâs artistic and political weight and expands its global reach.
The cast includes Tunisian star Dhafer LâAbidine, whose presence will undoubtedly resonate with Tunisian audiences. Recognized across the Arab world and in international productions, his involvement adds an emotional dimension locally, while remaining fully integrated into the ensemble and the filmâs central narrative.
The film also brings together Hiam Abbass, Kamel El Basha, Saleh Bakri, Yasmine Al-Massri, Jeremy Irons, Liam Cunningham, Robert Aramayo, Billy Howle, Jalal Altawil, Yafa Bakri, and Karim Daoud Anaya â a cast that reflects the filmâs international scope.
âLet us discover together the art of storytelling and vivid, human narratives,â the festival announced. The statement captures both the spirit of the film and the long-standing identity of the JCC, which for nearly six decades has showcased bold, socially engaged cinema rooted in the realities of the region.
NeĂŻla Driss
