Debuting at home, Nada Khalifa’s Polish-Palestinian short on the challenges to freedom of movement faced by Palestinians at home, QAHER, is set to hold its world premiere as part of the National Competition of Poland’s 65th Krakow Film Festival, running from May 25th to June 1st.
 
Filmed on the first day of the genocide in Palestine, Qaher follows Jason, a Canadian Palestinian returning to Palestine after years to surprise his sister with an unconventional gift in the form of a goat — a traditional offering for his newborn nephew. Upon Jason’s homecoming, he rediscovers the true meaning of his homeland and identity once more.
 
Speaking on the film’s inspiration, Khalifa explained, “In Palestine, Israeli checkpoints are a part of our daily existence, randomly blocking roads, denying movement, and dictating our lives. I once found myself waiting at one of these checkpoints, as I had countless times before.”
 
“But this time, I watched as a stray dog casually crossed the border. And at that moment, a question burned in my mind, ‘Why does this dog have more freedom than I will ever have?’ That thought became the foundation of QAHER — a film about the most fundamental and basic human right: The freedom of movement.”
 
Starring Nabil Al-Raee, Fadi Al-Ghoul, Odai Al-Saeedi, and Adel Al-Ghoul, QAHER is directed by Nada Khalifa, produced by Maciej Ślesicki, lensed by Oscar Lui, sound mixed by Denys Reva and Rami Talgi, edited by Hossam Hilmy, and scored by hip Egyptian music producer Sulisizer. The film is distributed across Arab-speaking territories by MAD Distribution while its international sales are handled by MAD World.
 
Nada Khalifa is a Palestinian filmmaker whose early life was deeply influenced by the realities of living under occupation. Inspired by the resilience of her people, Nada always knew that art and film would be her medium to share these stories with the world.
 
Nada’s early filmmaking beginnings sprouted from Shashat Women’s Cinema in Palestine — an organization that nurtured her talent and helped her take her first steps, where she is now a board member.
 
Nada’s most recent film was shot in Palestine during the first day of the ongoing genocide in Palestine. Left trapped and unable to escape, the experience strengthened her resolve to share a wider picture of Palestine with the world.
 
Her work focuses on themes of social injustice, resilience, and the unyielding nature of the human spirit; in a pursuit to bring untold narratives to the forefront of global cinema.