The Present

Directed by: Farah Nabulsi
2020 | PG | Narrative Short | 24’ 
Arabic, Hebrew and English Subtitles

On his wedding anniversary, Yusef and his young daughter set out in the West Bank to buy his wife a gift. Between soldiers, segregated roads and checkpoints, how easy is it to go shopping? 

Reflections from Palestine during COVID-19

Film Lab Palestine invited renowned Palestinian filmmakers to reflect their experiences during lockdown giving personal testimonies of a moment that each individual has experienced on their own, but simultaneously speaks to a feeling understood globally. 

In collaboration with: 

The 9 shorts that made up the series 'Reflections from Palestine during COVID-19' included the following: 

Blurry 

Directed by: Laila Abbas

In times of lockdown, try not to sit on your glasses. Life is already blurry enough. And in Palestine, there's always something else going on.

While We Waited For You 

Directed by: Muayad Alayan

A short diary during the covid-19 lockdown and confinement days in Palestine of the director and his journalist wife as they await the birth of their child.

The End is Here

Directed by: Ihab Jadallah

Lockdown, social distancing, strictly controlled neighborhoods, behind the scenes of this epidemic, a plan conceived long ago is being put in practice.

Retreat

Directed by: Bilal Alkhatib

Shots that take us from the ordinary friendly reality to a world of isolation, perplexity, and fear. To mysterious, unfamiliar, and unknown worlds.

Lifting The Mask

Directed by: Najwa Najjar

As COVID-19 blinds the world and people hide behind their masks “Lifting the Mask” uncovers the reality on the ground and the pandemic becomes a a cover.

One Step Backwards.. Two Steps Forward

Directed by: Dima Abu Ghoush

Suddenly you discover how wonderful your restricted freedom is, how scary it is that an unknown danger surrounds you, and how fragile and beautiful this life is.

The Echo Chamber

Directed by: Mohamed Harb

A surveillance camera in the corner of the room. On one side the camera observes the days of the artists, and on the other side it observes the news of the world through the TV screen that’s broadcasting the latest news about the Coronavirus crisis. Documented by the artist who assembled and edited the footage in a contemporary artwork to illustrate the love to survive.

MAY

Directed by: Maha Haj

Locked down with "Eva" in Nakba Anniversary.

Between You and Me

Directed by: Majdi Omari

Between Me and You, like a journey of a day. With the help of others, a filmmaker/teacher gathers the strength and perseverance to rediscover the link he’s lost with the outer world in the effects of a quarantine.