Hosted by the Masharawi Fund Gaza, The Unfinished Stories, From Ground Zero, and Closer!
When the land tightens, the image expands
Join us at the Palestine Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival this year for an exceptional meeting with the Masharawi Fund www.masharawifilms.org and some of our partners and friends, to discuss a unique and inspiring cinematic endeavor born from the heart of war, from the ground zero in Gaza.
In Gaza, filmmakers have succeeded in finding new methods for producing films under bombing and siege, defying the impossible to create a different cinematic reality that pulses with life despite the destruction.
The meeting will also reveal the current and future projects the Masharawi Fund is working on, within a serious and practical vision aimed at opening new horizons in collaboration with several partners, to contribute to enriching Palestinian and global cinema.
Note: Market Screening for producers, professionals and journalists for the project ”From Ground Zero +” is on May 19th from 15h45 - 17h45 At Palais J.
The Masharawi Fund strives to foster the growth of cinema, contributing to resilience and creativity while crafting a narrative that transcends borders and resonates globally, spotlighting the burgeoning artistic vitality in the heart of Gaza.
Believing in the profound impact of images and films on the portrayal of life and experiences that shape the representation of people, the fund provides an opportunity for Gazans to share their stories from within, ensuring that their daily lives, dreams, and experiences are presented to the world.
To achieve this goal, the fund collaborates with international, Arab, and Palestinian film institutions and individuals, fostering cultural exchange and sharing expertise across all stages and facets of filmmaking. Moreover, the fund is dedicated to enhancing the capabilities of young and talented individuals by offering financial support and training across various areas of the filmmaking art and industry. Additionally, it supports the development of technical and artistic teams to produce high-quality cinematic works.
Speakers: Rashid Masharawi, Ala’ Abu Ghoush, Rasmus Steen, Fayçal Hassaïri
Rashid Masharawi is a Palestinian filmmaker, born in Gaza in 1962 to a refugee family from the city of Jaffa. He grew up in Shati Refugee Camp in Gaza.
Rashid Masharawi lives and works between Ramallah and Paris. In 1996, he founded the Cinema Production Center in Ramallah with the aim of promoting local cinematic productions. He also established the Mobile Cinema Project in Palestine, which enabled the screening of films in all Palestinian refugee camps.
Other projects he has founded include the Annual Children’s Film Festival and large workshops on film production and direction.
Following the Israeli war on Gaza in 2023, Masharawi established the Masharawi Film Fund to provide opportunities for Palestinian filmmakers in Gaza. He produced the film From Ground Zero during the last war on Gaza, which was shortlisted for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 2025 Oscars.
Fayçal Hassaïri graduated from studies in editorial and production management from the Łódz Film School and the Institut Supérieur d’Art Dramatique in Tunis. Since 2018, Hassaïri has managed an equity fund in the production department at Metafora Production, a private company based in Doha and dedicated to the co-production of Arab art-house feature narratives.
Ala' Abu Ghoush is a Palestinian filmmaker and production designer from Jerusalem. A graduate of ENSAV – École Nationale Supérieure d'Audiovisuel in Toulouse, France, he has worked on numerous award-winning Palestinian feature films. His work reflects a deep commitment to exploring the layered and complex realities of Palestinian life, always seeking new forms of visual and narrative expression. In addition to his work as a production designer, Abu Ghoush has also directed films and, more recently, expanded into producing.
Rasmus Steen is Head of Documentary Film at IMS (International Media Support), with over 20 years of experience in documentary filmmaking, media development, and impact strategy. With a background in anthropology and journalism, he brings a thoughtful, strategic approach to storytelling, shaped by leadership training and consulting experience. Rasmus is committed to supporting films that drive dialogue and social change, blending creative ambition with a dedication to meaningful, collaborative storytelling.