“She’s been called a pioneer of Palestinian cinema — the filmmaker who broke barriers, rewrote history, and built a cinematic revolution for her people.”
In Episode 55 of The Enlightenment Podcast, Shamim and Hanan are joined by Annemarie Jacir, the award-winning Palestinian filmmaker and writer whose body of work has not only made history but also given Palestine a lasting voice on the global stage. Together, we explore Annemarie’s artistic journey, the challenges of making films under occupation, and the transformative role of cinema in Palestinian resistance.
Annemarie Jacir has written, directed, and produced over 16 films, with her work premiering at Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Locarno, Rotterdam, Toronto, and more. All of Annemarie’s feature films have been selected as Palestine’s official Oscar entry — a historic achievement in itself. Annemarie’s groundbreaking short film Like Twenty Impossibles became the first Arab short film ever selected for Cannes, cementing her place in film history.
Annemarie’s latest feature, Palestine 36, was created in the midst of the Gaza genocide, literally while missiles flew overhead. The film premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, earning the longest standing ovation in TIFF history, according to festival director Cameron Bailey. Palestine 39 will also premiere this October at the BFI London Film Festival, and will be in cinemas across UK and Ireland starting Oct. 31.
Annemarie has served on the juries of Cannes, Sundance, and Berlin, and is a member of both BAFTA and AMPAS. Annemarie continues to inspire a new generation of Palestinian filmmakers, proving that art itself can be an act of defiance and liberation.
This episode is not just about filmmaking — it is about cultural survival, creative resistance, and why stories are among Palestine’s most powerful weapons.
Annemarie Jacir’s Work:
🎬 Like Twenty Impossibles → https://www.netflix.com/ae-en/title/81474205
🎬 Salt of This Sea → https://www.netflix.com/ae-en/title/70117041
🎬 When I Saw You → https://vimeo.com/ondemand/19606
🎬 Wajib → https://www.netflix.com/watch/80211283
🎬 Palestine 36 → Festival screenings (TIFF, BFI London 2025, Rome 2025, Chicago International, AFI, Tokyo, Sau Paulo) – distribution TBA. UK Distribution Curzon, France Haut et Court , USA Watermelon Pictures, Germany Alamode Films, Turkey TRT)
Annemarie Jacir’s Social Media:
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/annamariajacir/?hl=en
X (Twitter) → https://x.com/annemariejacir?lang=en
Palestine 36 Film → https://www.instagram.com/palestine36film/?hl=en
The Enlightenment Podcast Social Media:
https://feedlinks.link/enlightenmentpodcast
#TheEnlightenmentPodcast #AnnemarieJacir #PalestinianCinema #PalestinianFilmmakers #PalestinianCulture #PalestinianLiberation #FreePalestine #GazaGenocide #EndTheOccupation #CinemaAsResistance #ResistanceThroughArt #Palestine36 #GazaUnderAttack #StorytellingAsResistance #VoicesForPalestine