Film Honors: Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass will receive the European Film Academy’s World Cinema Achievement Award in January, recognizing a career spanning Paradise Now, Blade Runner 2049 and Succession. Documentary Spotlight: Neon has taken US distribution of NAZA, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor’s Gaza documentary, expanding its theatrical and awards-season push after a strong festival run. Literary Freedom: More than 150 writers and performers, including Paul Mescal, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Kneecap, backed Sally Rooney after her UK publisher stopped supplying her books over her support for Palestine Action. Regional Cinema: Doha Film Festival’s Made in Qatar competition will showcase eight local films, with Palestinian Belgian filmmaker Naël Khleifi among the jury. Art and Resistance: The Gaza Biennale’s Sarajevo pavilion brought work by Gazan artists facing siege and displacement into conversation with Bosnia’s history of wartime art. Palestinian artists Fawzi and Smokaholic are also set to join Kneecap on tour.
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Cultural Freedom: Paul Mescal, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Kneecap and other artists signed an open letter defending Sally Rooney after her books were withdrawn from UK sale over her support for Palestine Action, calling the move censorship. Palestinian Writing: Palestinian-American author Zaina Arafat reflects on diaspora, longing and belonging in a new interview about her essay collection. Music and Film: Palestinian artists Fawzi and Smokaholic are set to join Kneecap on its European tour, while Gaza Bride 17, a film about a father’s grief, screens at the Boston Palestine Film Festival. Film Recognition: Palestinian actor Hiam Abbass will receive an honorary European Film Academy award.
Music: Palestinian artists Fawzi and Smokaholic are set to join Irish rap group KNEECAP on its European tour, bringing Palestinian voices to concert stages. Campus Culture: University of Georgia’s Palestinian Student Life group is building a space for sharing Palestinian traditions beyond political headlines, with around 70 active members. Film: Waseem Khair’s short Gaza Bride 17, about a father haunted by his son’s death, screened at Boston’s 20th annual Palestine Film Festival. The UK release of NAZA is also drawing attention for its blend of investigative journalism and cinema. Filmmakers: Palestinian director Rakan Mayasi says he seeks unconventional stories and communities rarely represented on screen.
Stage and Speech: Calgary Opera removed Gabriel Sanchez-Ortega from the remaining Tosca performances after he unfurled a Palestinian flag at the curtain call. The company called the gesture unauthorized and said its policy applies to all protest symbols. Palestinian Cinema: Filmmaker Rakan Mayasi’s debut, Yesterday the Eye Didn’t Sleep, is screening in competition at El Gouna. The lyrical film portrays a Bedouin community in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, reflecting Mayasi’s interest in stories and communities rarely seen on screen. Film and Memory: In Nouakchott, the Palestinian Embassy marked a solidarity celebration with a documentary about Palestine and the life of Yasser Arafat. Documentary: NAZA, by Israeli journalists Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, examines how the Israeli military calculates civilian casualties in Gaza, drawing on interviews with soldiers and intelligence personnel.
Doha Film Festival: The November 19–27 program includes Edward Said: Between Worlds, a documentary about the Palestinian American scholar, and Life Support, about medical volunteers working with Palestinian colleagues in Gaza. Stage and protest: Calgary Opera has replaced bass-baritone Gabriel Sanchez-Ortega for the remaining Tosca performances after he unfurled a Palestinian flag at the curtain call. Documentary spotlight: NAZA, an acclaimed film by Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, examines AI-assisted targeting and civilian deaths in Gaza through interviews with former military and intelligence personnel. Palestinian arts: The Palestine Film Festival marks its 20th anniversary, while a feature on tatreez explores the stories and cultural memory woven into Palestinian embroidery.
Music & Solidarity: Kneecap made its Mexico City debut before 4,500 fans, with a stage message for Palestine and Irish, Mexican and Palestinian flags in the crowd. Palestinian artist Saint Levant is also set to headline a Dubai festival in December. Opera & Protest: Calgary Opera replaced bass Gabriel Sanchez-Ortega for the remaining Tosca performances after he unfurled a Palestinian flag at curtain call; he said he had no regrets. Palestinian Cinema: Boston Palestine Film Festival marked its 20th anniversary with films, concerts, workshops and exhibitions, building on a programme that has presented more than 300 Palestine-related films. Books & Expression: Sally Rooney’s novels were withdrawn from UK sale after her publisher said it could not pay her over her support for Palestine Action. Palestinian authors also withdrew a children’s history book from Penguin Random House over an editorial dispute.
Tatreez: A Kuala Lumpur exhibition explores Palestinian embroidery as a living language of identity, pairing traditional regional garments with contemporary designs. It runs through April 25. Books & Free Expression: Sally Rooney’s novels are being withdrawn from UK sale over her support for Palestine Action, while Palestinian authors have pulled a children’s history book from Penguin Random House after an editorial dispute. Art Across Palestine: A Palestinian collective is using art to connect Gaza and the West Bank; poet Lina Jawdat is documenting the fate of 70,000 books lost during the Nakba. Film: Yesterday the Eye Didn’t Sleep won the 2026 KineNova International Film Festival.
Opera and Protest: Calgary Opera has replaced bass-baritone Gabriel Sanchez-Ortega in Tosca after he displayed a Palestinian flag during the curtain call, calling the gesture unauthorized political protest. Music for Solidarity: Dubai’s WASLA festival returns Nov. 28 with Palestinian oud trio Le Trio Joubran among its acts; all proceeds will support UNHCR aid for displaced Arab families. MENA on the Dancefloor: Amsterdam Dance Event, Oct. 21–25, will spotlight the region’s independent music scenes and their growing influence on global club culture. Palestinian Stories on Screen: Asmahan Bkerat’s Concrete Land, about a displaced Palestinian Bedouin family in Jordan, won the BFI London Film Festival’s documentary award. Books and Censorship: Sally Rooney’s books have been withdrawn from UK sale after her publisher said they could no longer be sold amid controversy over her support for Palestine Action. Gaza in Film: NAZA, a documentary examining Israeli military targeting in Gaza through interviews with former personnel, continues to draw attention after winning a prize at Venice.
Film: Jonathan Glazer said he was “shocked into silence” by NAZA, the documentary on killings in Gaza, and condemned the Israeli government’s response to its filmmakers. Books: Palestinian American writers Alana Hadid and Jenan Matari withdrew their children’s history book from Penguin Random House after an editorial dispute; they plan to publish it elsewhere in 2027. Publishing: Sally Rooney’s books are being pulled from UK sale after her publisher said it could not pass on UK earnings under current law; Rooney had planned to direct royalties to Palestine Action. Theatre: Qatar Museums has announced Again, a new musical-theatre production connecting South Africa and Palestine.
Film: The Gaza documentary NAZA is drawing attention and backlash: Netanyahu has called for an investigation into people interviewed for the film. Books & Censorship: Sally Rooney’s novels have been pulled from UK booksellers after she pledged royalties to Palestine Action, igniting a debate over the reach of Britain’s ban on the group. Palestinian Arts: Qatar Museums plans to premiere Again, a musical linking South Africa and Palestine, while poet Lina Jawdat is documenting the fate of 70,000 books lost during the Nakba.
Palestinian Cinema: A chance meeting with a sheep grew into Concrete Land, Asmahan Bkerat’s documentary about a Palestinian Bedouin family living on the outskirts of Amman. After eight years of filming, Bkerat brought two family members to its London Film Festival premiere. Documentary Spotlight: NAZA, a film examining alleged Israeli blackmail of Palestinians, is drawing fresh attention: coverage says Netanyahu has called for an investigation into the film’s sources and participants. Books & Free Expression: Sally Rooney’s novels are being withdrawn from UK sale after her publisher said it could not pay royalties she planned to direct to Palestine Action, intensifying debate over the consequences for writers who speak out on Palestine. Art Across Palestine: A new exhibition brings Gaza and West Bank artists’ works together, using art to connect communities amid ongoing destruction.
Books & Censorship: Sally Rooney’s novels are being withdrawn from UK shops after her publisher said it could not legally pass her royalties to her because of her support for Palestine Action. Hundreds of authors have voiced support for Rooney and her publisher. Film: Egypt’s El Gouna Film Festival has opened with 77 films. The documentary NAZA, about civilian deaths in Gaza, is drawing strong reviews and controversy. Music: Palestinian artists Zeyne and Manal explore fading romance in their new song “Kenteli.” Visual Arts: A Palestinian collective is using art to connect Gaza and the West Bank, while regional photographers offer fresh perspectives on life across SWANA.
Palestinian Pop: Palestinian-Jordanian singer Zeyne joins Moroccan artist Manal on “Kentili,” a sleek R&B and Afrobeats single about a romance fading. Books and Palestine: Sally Rooney’s UK publisher is withdrawing her books from sale, saying it cannot pay her royalties after she pledged support for Palestine Action, which Britain has banned. Art Across Palestine: A Palestinian collective is using art to connect Gaza and the West Bank, while makeup veteran Zaiie is building a beauty vision rooted in Palestinian identity. Film: “NAZA,” a documentary featuring Israeli military and intelligence officers describing the use of AI in attacks in Gaza, has drawn fierce backlash in Israel.
Art Across Palestine: Palestinian artists are using collaborative work to connect Gaza and the West Bank, while a London exhibition is bringing Gaza’s tragedy into focus. Film: The documentary NAZA, built around Israeli soldiers’ accounts of killings in Gaza, is drawing international attention; Al Jazeera also found fabricated view figures for an Israeli counter-film, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the documentary’s participants to be investigated and prosecuted. Books & Censorship: Sally Rooney’s novels are being withdrawn from UK sale because her publisher fears paying royalties could breach the ban on Palestine Action. Palestinian American authors Alana Hadid and Jenan Matari also pulled a children’s book on Palestine from Random House, saying editorial changes misrepresented their views. New Work: Qatar Museums has announced Again, a project linking South Africa and Palestine.
Palestinian Beauty: Makeup veteran Reema Shihadeh has launched Zaiie, a beauty brand rooted in her Palestinian heritage. Its first products feature olive oil from her family’s West Bank groves. Film: The documentary Naza, built around accounts from Israeli soldiers and intelligence officers about the war in Gaza, is drawing fresh attention as reports say Netanyahu has ordered an investigation into its interviewees. Festivals: Athens Palestine Film Festival opens today with a retrospective of filmmaker Elia Suleiman, alongside films, discussions, poetry and live music exploring memory, displacement and belonging. Art and Music: Palestinian artists Mayar Hamdan, Kamal Aljafari and Ahlam Shibli are among more than 120 participants in Qatar’s upcoming Rubaiya quadrennial; Qatar Museums will also premiere Again, a musical theatre work connecting South Africa and Palestine. Literature: Palestinian poet Lina Jawdat is documenting the fate of 70,000 books lost during the Nakba.
Books & Free Expression: Sally Rooney and publisher Faber say her novels will no longer be supplied in the UK, citing the legal risks linked to her support for Palestine Action. Palestinian Storytelling: Poet Lina Jawdat is documenting 70,000 books lost during the Nakba, while a new literary memoir traces Mahmoud Shuqair’s creative life. Palestinian ventures are also turning heritage and technology into creative businesses. Film: The Gaza documentary NAZA has opened in the US and made the European Film Awards shortlist; Netanyahu is seeking prosecution of Israeli soldiers who spoke in it. Music & Theatre: Macklemore has announced a sold-out “Free Palestine” tour after being dropped from Ed Sheeran’s circuit. Qatar Museums will premiere Again, a musical theatre production connecting South Africa and Palestine.
Film: Palestinian-focused documentary Naza has opened in US cinemas and is nearing $500,000 in ticket sales. Its directors face a new threat: Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered officials to identify and prosecute the Israeli soldiers interviewed in the film. Live Music: Macklemore’s three-date “Free Palestine” tour sold out quickly; proceeds will support 12 organisations aiding Palestinians. Theatre: Qatar Museums will premiere Again in Doha on Oct. 27–31, bringing Palestinian testimony and South African performers together in a musical about freedom and self-determination.
Music & Free Expression: Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after speaking in support of Palestine has fuelled debate over artists’ freedom to speak out; the controversy has also prompted a benefit concert and a solo tour. Stage: Qatar Museums will premiere Again in Doha on Oct. 27–31, a musical theatre work pairing Palestinian testimony with South African histories of struggle for freedom. Film: Gaza documentary NAZA has passed $500,000 at the U.S. box office as Netanyahu calls for an investigation into its interviewees; meanwhile, A Fidai Film is drawing notice for transforming suppressed Palestinian footage into art. Books: Palestinian émigré Hannah Lillith Assadi’s novel Paradiso 17, about a man displaced in 1948, is a National Book Award finalist.
Music & Activism: Brian Eno discusses Palestine as he prepares to relaunch Opal Records. Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s tour over his pro-Palestinian remarks continues to stir backlash, with the rapper launching a sold-out benefit concert. Palestinian Cinema: A Fidai Film turns suppressed footage into art, while Palestinian filmmakers work to keep their stories alive amid Gaza’s destruction. The Gaza documentary NAZA has passed $500,000 at the US box office; Netanyahu is seeking a criminal probe into its sources. Art in Wartime: Palestinian artists are finding ways to create amid the devastation, with Merna discussing healing and making art during the war.
Theatre: Palestinian-British writer Ahmed Masoud’s Application 39 imagines Gaza hosting the 2048 Olympics. At Manchester’s Aviva Studios, its dark comedy turns a dystopian premise into a sharp reflection on the city’s present-day suffering. Film: NAZA, the award-winning documentary on Israeli military targeting in Gaza, has passed $500,000 at the US box office. Netanyahu is calling for an investigation into its sources and participants. Palestinian Cinema: A Fidai Film transforms suppressed footage into art, while the London Palestine Film Festival returns in November with stories from Gaza, the West Bank and the diaspora. Design: Amman Design Week is expanding into new spaces, bringing culture and community to Iraq Al-Amir and Aqaba.
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