The management of the Leeds Palestinian Film Festival in the United Kingdom has appointed Dr. Ezzedeen Shallah as Assistant Director of the festival following a Board of Directors meeting held on August 26, 2025.
In a letter addressed to Dr. Shallah, the festival’s Co-Director, Frances, stated:
“I am delighted to offer you the position of Assistant Director of the Leeds Palestinian Film Festival.
The Assistant Director role has been created to help ensure that the festival’s program reflects current and emerging cultural expression in the West Bank and Gaza, while enabling the festival to provide a genuine platform for Palestinian artists and filmmakers in Leeds.
We believe you are exceptionally well placed to fulfill this role, given the remarkable work you are currently undertaking in Gaza and your valuable collaboration with us during last year’s Leeds Palestinian Film Festival.
Through your current and previous work, you have demonstrated strong collaborative skills with the Leeds International Film Festival, excellent leadership and interpersonal abilities, extensive knowledge of the Palestinian cultural and artistic landscape—particularly filmmakers—and outstanding communication skills in both Arabic and English.
In addition, you have shown an exceptional ability to deliver projects under extremely challenging circumstances, supported by strong problem-solving skills and the capacity to address complex challenges. Congratulations on your appointment, and we look forward to a productive and successful partnership.”
Shallah Expresses Gratitude
Dr. Ezzedeen Shallah thanked the management of the Leeds Palestinian Film Festival for their confidence in him and expressed his hope that he would make a positive contribution to the festival’s future development.
He also expressed his aspiration that the upcoming edition of the festival would be distinguished by the participation of Palestinian filmmakers, particularly from Gaza, showcasing films that reflect the realities faced by its people amid ongoing hardships.
Cinema as a Voice for Palestine
Dr. Shallah emphasized the importance of cinema in documenting and conveying the experiences, concerns, and aspirations of the Palestinian people. He noted that films have the power to explore events in depth and transform them into cinematic works that reveal the realities and consequences of the challenges faced by Palestinians.
He stressed that cinema remains one of the most effective tools for preserving memory, telling authentic stories, and bringing Palestinian voices to international audiences through the universal language of film.
