Living as a refugee at Balata camp in the northern West Bank, Maha choreographs a scenario to fulfill the unrealized goal of Palestinian sovereignty for her ailing blind grandfather.
Supported by
Community Partner
Sama Idreesi, Kamel El Basha
France/Jordan
2023
In Arabic with English subtitles
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Credits & Director
Executive Producer
Made in Palestine Project – Rashid Abdelhammid
Producer
Topshot Films Bastien Daret, Arthur Goisset, Robin Robles
Screenwriter
Nour Ben Salem, Julien Menanteau
Cinematography
Éric Devin
Editor
Manon Falise
Production Design
Ayoub Nahhas
Original Music
Jack Bartman
Nour Ben Salem
After a master’s degree in cinema at the Sorbonne and a TV series course at La Fémis, Nour Ben Salem worked as a scriptwriter for television and cinema. She co-wrote the feature film Hard Shell, Soft Shell (2021) directed by Emma Benestan, as well as several episodes of the series Reign Supreme for Arte/Netflix. Palestine Islands is her first work as a director.
Julien Menanteau
After studying cinema in Montreal and at the Sorbonne, Julien Menanteau directed his first short film Rikishi (2017), followed by Samaritan (2018), a creative documentary shot over two years in Palestine. Broadcasted on Arte, the film won a star from the SCAM. Lads, his upcoming debut fiction feature, received support from the CNC.
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
All That's Left of You
Jordan's submission for the Academy Awards, All That's Left of You makes the most of its epic format to chronicle seven decades of Palestinian history while tracking the psychological impact of cycles of exile and oppression on three generations.
Spring After Spring
Three daughters strive to live up to the standards set by their mother Marie Mimi Ho, and keep Vancouver Chinatown's Spring Parade going through thick and thin, in this enormously affectionate local documentary by Jon Chiang.
Song Sung Blue
Lightning and Thunder (Hugh Jackman and Oscar nominee Kate Hudson), are Milwaukee husband and wife Neil Diamond tribute act who experience soaring success and devastating heartbreak in their musical journey together. Based on a true story.
Mr. Nobody Against Putin
Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary, and Special Jury Prize Winner, Sundance, 2025, this exposé shot by a Russian primary teacher shows how the Putin propaganda machine works to militarize children.
Cutting Through Rocks
Winner of Sundance's World Cinema Documentary Grand Jury Prize, Cutting Through Rocks follows Sara Shahverdi — motorcyclist, midwife, and first-ever councilwoman elected in her Iranian village. A vérité triumph by Sara Khaki & Mohammadreza Eyni.
The Painted Life of E.J. Hughes
A beautiful portrait of E.J. Hughes, who quietly helped reshape the artistic landscape of British Columbia in the 20th century. This extraordinary documentary explores Hughes’s legacy not only as an artist, but as a devoted, humble human being.