Among the Palestinian focus highlights is The Voice of Hind Rajab.
Directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, the film won Grand Jury Prize at the 2025 Venice Film festival, and was followed by numerous awards across international festivals. It also secured a nomination for the 83rd Golden Globe Awards in the Best Non-English Language Film category.
The Voice of Hind Rajab recounts the real-life killing of Hind Rajab, who was trapped in a car under Israeli fire in Gaza in 2024.
Another important film is Palestine ’36, a historical drama directed by Annemarie Jacir.
The film was Palestine's official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards.
Set in 1936, the film follows Yusuf, who is caught between his village home and his work in Jerusalem during a time of intense colonial pressure leading up to the Arab Revolt.
The viewers can also watch All That's Left of You directed by Emmy-nominated Palestinian American filmmaker Cherien Dabis.
This multigenerational drama follows a Palestinian teenager caught in a protest in the occupied West Bank.
Spanning seven decades, the film uses his mother’s recollections to trace the emotional and political history of their family.
The Palestinian selection includes One More Show, a documentary directed by Mai Saad and Ahmed Eldanaf.
The film had its world premiere at CIFF, screened within the Horizons of Arab Cinema Competition.
It follows a group of circus performers who have been displaced from northern to southern Gaza, who entertain children living in shelters and on the streets amidst the ongoing war.
Another entry is Who Is Still Alive, directed by Nicolas Wadimoff.
Who Is Still Alive recounts the lives of nine individuals from Gaza before and during the war, recreating their destroyed neighbourhoods by drawing their outlines in chalk on the ground.
Lastly, American Doctor, directed by Poh Si Teng, follows three prominent physicians of different origins who volunteer at a besieged hospital in Gaza before returning to the US to advocate for their colleagues and patients in Congress.
In addition to the film screenings, the festival features several side activities related to Palestine on 12 June.
Throughout the day, the Rotterdam Palestina Coalition will host a market table in the foyer of LantarenVenster, providing a space for visitors to engage with local initiatives and organizations working in solidarity with Palestine.
The day’s programming also includes musical performances in the foyer to celebrate contemporary Palestinian culture. Bellakoud - Rotterdam-based Tunisian artist, DJ, photographer, and community builder - will perform an eclectic DJ set, followed by an energetic closing set by Zouflebouf.
The 26th edition of the Arab Film Festival will take place in Rotterdam from 10 to 14 June 2026.
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