The Gaza International Women’s Film Festival, represented by its founder and president, Dr. Ezzedeen Shallah, has signed a partnership agreement with the Taranto Cinema Festival as part of the ninth edition of the Italian festival, held under the theme “Levante”, where East meets West.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Gaza International Women’s Film Festival by Ms. Milena Fiore, while Mr. Mimmo Mongelli, Director of the Taranto Cinema Festival, signed on behalf of the Italian festival. The agreement carries significant symbolic and political value, reflecting a cultural alliance at the heart of the Mediterranean aimed at strengthening the international presence of Palestinian cinema.
This partnership forms part of a new three-year program launched by the Italian festival, with a strong focus on Palestine as a central theme. It is based on a shared vision of cinema as a tool for testimony, resistance, and the preservation of memory, particularly in light of the harsh conditions endured by the Palestinian people in Gaza.
The first outcome of this collaboration was the event “Palestine”, held on December 18 at the MUDI Museum in Taranto, where a selection of short films by Palestinian filmmakers was screened. The program included Exception by director Ezzedeen Shallah, alongside works by director Mostafa Al-Nabih. The screenings were followed by an open discussion with the audience.
The initiative continued on December 19 in the city of Lecce, hosted by Astràgali Theatre, through the event “Eyes of Gaza” and a presentation of the experience of the Gaza International Women’s Film Festival. The program combined film screenings and discussions, highlighting the urgent need to protect visual archives and continue film production despite bombardment and siege.
Both festivals affirmed that this partnership represents a mutual commitment to film distribution, the exchange of expertise, and the creation of international platforms for Palestinian cinema produced under extraordinary circumstances. The collaboration is rooted in a shared cultural and ethical responsibility toward memory, justice, and humanity.
