Call for submission:

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.

About the submission:

The filmmakers must already have knowledge and experience in filmmaking, and they have already made at least one short film/documentary, and the films have been selected and screened for one or more international film festivals. The filmmaker must submit a written project (short film/Documentary) with treatment or screenplay to be considered for the program.

The program is open to aspiring filmmakers between the ages of 18 and 30 from Palestine, and Norway with a passion for storytelling and a desire to learn about film production.

The filmmakers must be looking to start a new life experience and they want an opportunity to take them to another level to meet the international film market and make a space for them in one international festival to present their work.

Age: 18-30 years old.
Number of participants: 6 participants.
Language: English.
The workshop will take place between the 15th to 30 of June 2025.

Call for submission:

Apply here: