Annemarie Jacir’s acclaimed historical epic PALESTINE 36 held its Jordanian premiere at Rainbow Theatre Cinema in Amman, marking a powerful and emotional evening attended by prominent cultural figures, artists, and the film’s cast and crew.
 
The special screening was honored by the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, underscoring the film’s cultural and historical significance. The premiere also welcomed celebrated artist Saint Levant, alongside members of the cast and creative team, who gathered with audiences for a night that reflected both solidarity and cinematic excellence.
 
The Jordan premiere comes as PALESTINE 36 continues its remarkable international journey, having recently been shortlisted for the Oscars, further cementing its status as one of the most celebrated Arab films of the year.
 
The Jordan premiere follows the film’s most recent screening at the Red Sea International Film Festival, marking the latest stop in PALESTINE 36’s successful regional journey.
 
A revisit of the events leading to the Arab Revolt of 1936, PALESTINE 36 follows Yusuf as he drifts between his rural home and the restless energy of Jerusalem, longing for a future beyond the growing unrest of 1936 Mandate Palestine, where several villages were rising up against British rule.
 
However, history is relentless; with rising numbers of Jewish immigrants escaping an increasingly fascist Europe and Palestinian calls for independence, all sides spiral towards inevitable collision in a decisive moment for the British Empire and the future of the entire region.
 
The film has enjoyed an exceptional international festival run. It won the Audience Award at the São Paulo International Film Festival, was shortlisted for the 38th European Film Awards, received a Best Screenplay nomination at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, and claimed Best Film at the Tokyo International Film Festival. Its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival was completely sold out, followed by screenings at AFI Fest, Rome, Chicago, Cork, and Thessaloniki.
 
A co-production between Palestine, the UK, France, Denmark, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, PALESTINE 36 features a distinguished ensemble cast including Hiam Abbass, Kamel El Basha, Saleh Bakri, Yasmine Al-Massri, Jeremy Irons, Dhafer L’Abidine, Billy Howle, Liam Cunningham, Robert Aramayo, Jalal Altawil, alongside newcomers Yafa Bakri and Karim Daoud Anaya.
 
The film is produced by Ossama Bawardi, with co-producers Azzam Fakhrildin, Cat Villiers, Hani Farsi, Nils Åstrand, Olivier Barbier, Katrin Pors, Hamza Ali, and Elissa Pierre, through Philistine Films, Autonomous, Corniche Media, MK Productions, and Snowglobe. Cinematography is by Hélène Louvart, with an original score by Ben Frost. PALESTINE 36 is distributed in the Arab World by MAD Distribution.
 
Annemarie Jacir has written, directed, and produced over 16 films, with premieres at prestigious festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Toronto, and Telluride. All four features she directed were Palestine's Oscar entries. She also directed the first feature by a Palestinian female director, the acclaimed SALT OF THIS SEA — a FIPRESCI winner and her second work to debut at Cannes. WHEN I SAW YOU won Best Asian Film at the Berlinale, and WAJIB garnered 36 awards, including those at Mar Del Plata, Dubai, and London.
 
As the founder of the independent production company Philistine Films, Jacir frequently collaborates with Arab filmmakers in roles including editor, screenwriter, and producer. She is deeply committed to working with local crews and nurturing emerging Arab talent through mentorship and training, actively supporting the growth of independent cinema across the region.
 
Jacir lives in Palestine and has served on juries for major film festivals, like Cannes, Berlin, and Sundance. She is a member of several prestigious film academies, including the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, BAFTA, and the Asia Pacific Screen Academy.
 
In her hometown of Bethlehem, she co-founded Dar Jacir, an independent, artist-run cultural space. Her work has been celebrated in retrospectives at venues like the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York and the Toronto International Film Festival.