A FILM PROGRAM FOR NORDIC & PALESTINIAN FILMMAKERS Palarctic
Supported by NNFS, Frittord, First Hand Films, Tromsø Kommune & Tvibit - in cooperation with the Palestine Film Institute
PALARCTIC
PALARCTIC is a filmmaking program that aims to bring together aspiring filmmakers from Palestine and Norway to provide them with opportunities to learn from each other and share their experiences. It's a way for people from two cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives to meet in order to develop new ideas for films. Using filmmaking to promote cultural diversity and help identify cross-cultural exchange.
After 15 relentless months of genocide in Gaza, we were relieved to hear the news of a ceasefire. However, we now understand more than ever the importance of our work in developing, promoting, and preserving Palestinian narratives. As Gaza embarks on the process of mourning and rebuilding, The Tromsø-Gaza Twin City Cooperation at Tvibit remains committed to the urgent need to support Palestinian and their voices.
Six talented filmmakers between the ages of 18-30 years old from different backgrounds will meet, live, and work together to develop their film projects. Three filmmakers from Norway together with another three aspiring Palestinian filmmakers from the diaspora. A unique two-week program designed by the Film House at Tvibit in cooperation with the Palestine Film Institute, the program's first phase will take place in the last two weeks of June 2025, physically in the Arctic city of Tromsø in Northern Norway.
During the two weeks in Tromsø, the participants are going to meet and learn about a new culture, challenges, food, and other life experiences. They will be able to create their own space to see the world through it, a different part of the world, a world that they didn’t meet before.
Learning by doing is a method we will use throughout the life of the program to share what they know from their personal experience and backgrounds, explore the Arctic and other life experiences, and how to grow up and live a life under occupation.
The selected filmmakers will work together to develop their short film ideas, helping each other during the first week and being guided and mentored by a professional team, including consultation sessions.
The filmmakers will present their short film ideas during the second week at the Nordic Youth Film Festival (NUFF 2025). They will also join the NUFF workshop as one group to create one short film during the NUFF workshop. The PALARCTIC program will host two masterclasses, including events to highlight and show the previous films of the Palartic participants to the public.
Through art, we resist. Through film, we remember. Through solidarity, we build
We are proud to launch the inaugural PalArctic Film Prorgram in Gaza´s twin city, Tromsø, Norway, bringing together Palestinian and Norwegian filmmakers for a film development programme that builds on the creativity and resilience of Palestinian cinema. The past 20 months have highlighted the significant challenges that Palestinians face in their struggle for existence. Arts and culture, particularly cinema, have always played a crucial role in preserving the narrative and reflecting the Palestinian experience over the last 77 years. Working in collaboration with the Palestine Film Institute (PFI), the program emphasises the importance of supporting Palestinian films and stories in international forums, and the power of narrative, which is at the heart of all the violence we are witnessing with heavy hearts today.
Devised by Palestinian-Gazan filmmaker Mohamed Jabaly, and co-led alongside British-Iranian poet-producer Elhum Shakerifar, the workshop comprises masterclasses with British-Libyan filmmaker Naziha Arebi, Palestinian filmmaker and archivist Mohanad Yaqubi, and veteran Palestinian director Michel Khleifi – whose masterclasses will also be open to the public.
This year´s PalArctic participants are: Mahmoud Ahmed, Thea Mendez Okkelmo, Saad Othman, Kassia Rebekka Marin and Diana Nasser.
Palarcic Film program is supported by Arktisk Film Norge, Frittord, FHF, Tromsø Kommune & Tvibit - in cooperation with the Palestine Film Institute.
FILMS & SPEAKERS
PALARCTIC FILM PROGRAM
PALARCTIC FILM PROGRAM
More info about The Tromsø-Gaza Twin-city Cooperation or for any questions please contact: mohammed.aljabali@tromso.kommune.no