Co-Presented with Reel Pizza
Directed by Rashid Masharawi, 2024
From Executive Producer Michael Moore and Palestine's Official Submission for the 2025 Academy Awards, From Ground Zero is a collection of revealing stories from 22 Palestinian filmmakers living through war, who capture their lives in Gaza amidst war.
Using a blend of animation, documentary, and fiction, they create a powerful testament to the steadfastness of the human spirit. This film serves as a remarkable reflection of how art can thrive even in the darkest times, showcasing the enduring spirit and creativity that emerge amid ongoing devastation.
Duration: 112 minutes, followed by community discussion
Language: Arabic with English subtitles
Please note all events are free and open to the public, and they require an RSVP to attend.
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From Ground Zero was created by filmmaker Rashid Masharawi and designed to give a voice to the people of Gaza and to document their day-to-day experiences, many of which often go unheard by the outside world. In a war-torn society, where artistic creation is extremely complex, the project sought to capture the diversity of perspectives of Gazans through slice-of-life short films, ranging anywhere from three to sixminutes in length. Filmmakers were allowed to tell their story through any genre and cinematic storytelling platform, from fiction to documentary to animation.
Part 1
1. Reema Mahmoud – SELFIE
2. Muhammad Al Sharif – NO SIGNAL
3. Ahmed Hassouna - SORRY CINEMA
4. Islam Al Zeriei – FLASHBACK
5. Mustafa Kolab – ECHO
6. Nidal Damo – ALL IS FINE
7. Khamis Masharawi - SOFT SKIN
8. Bashar Al Balbisi – CHARM
9. Tamer Nijim – THE TEACHER
10. Ahmed Al Danaf - A SCHOOL DAY
11. Alaa Islam Ayoub – OVERLOAD
Part 2
1. Karim Satoum - HELL’S HAVEN
2. Alaa Damo - 24 HOURS
3. Aws Al Banna - JAD AND NATALIE
4. Rabab Khamis – RECYCLING
5. Etimad Washah – TAXI WANISSA
6. Mustafa Al Nabih – OFFERINGS
7. Hana Eleiwa – NO
8. Wissam Moussa – FARAH AND MYRIAM
9. Basel El Maqousi – FRAGMENTS
10. Neda’a Abu Hasna – OUT OF FRAME
11. Mahdi Kreirah – AWAKENING
“ONE OF THE MOST HOPEFUL FILMS I’VE EVER SEEN”
— ROGEREBERT.COM
“A STIRRING TESTAMENT TO ART AS A TOOL OF SURVIVAL”
— AV CLUB
“EACH SHORT IS UNIQUE IN ITS CONCEPTION, AND YET, IS BOUND BY A COMMON RESILIENCE”
— VARIETY
Thank you to Reel Pizza for partnering with us on this screening.