Gaza Cinema Academy launches at Venice Film Festival
The Gaza Cinema Academy was officially launched at the Venice Film Festival on September 7, 2026. The initiative aims to create a lasting platform for film education, training and production in Gaza, while connecting emerging Palestinian filmmakers with the international film industry.
The academy was co-founded by Palestinian filmmakers Ezzaldeen Shalh and Mai Masri. It already builds on a nine-month filmmaking diploma that began in March 2026 with 25 young Palestinian women participating.
🌟 Celebrity support
The project has attracted backing from prominent figures including:
- Ramy Youssef, Egyptian-American actor and filmmaker
- Hiam Abbass, Palestinian actress
- Saleh Bakri, Palestinian actor
- Kaouther Ben Hania, Tunisian filmmaker and Venice jury member
- Annemarie Jacir, Palestinian filmmaker
- Italian producer Graziella Bildesheim.
🎬 What comes next?
The academy is developing a filmmaking degree intended to be accredited by Al-Quds Open University. It also hopes to establish partnerships with film festivals, universities, cultural institutions and production companies to help Palestinian filmmakers develop and showcase their work internationally.