Annemarie Jacir's 'Palestine 36' garners global acclaim

Palestinian director Annemarie Jacir's historical drama, Palestine 36, is cementing its status as a major cinematic event after having been selected as Palestine's official submission for the Best International Feature Film at the 2026 Academy Awards. The film is simultaneously being honored by two of the Arab world and Africa's most prestigious festivals: the Journées Cinématographiques de Carthage (JCC) and the Marrakech International Film Festival (MIFF).

Dual Festival Spotlight: Opening and Closing Galas

The historical epic is set to both open and close major film events across North Africa, underscoring its cultural and political resonance.

• Opening Film at JCC: Palestine 36 will launch the 36th edition of the Carthage Film Festival (JCC) in Tunis, running from December 13 to 20. The choice aligns with the JCC’s long legacy of championing political cinema rooted in regional histories and identities.
• Closing Film at Marrakech: Following its run in Tunisia, the film will be the Closing Film and Gala Screening at the Marrakech International Film Festival (MIFF) in Morocco.

This dual honor highlights the film's significance as a compelling narrative from a pivotal moment in Palestinian history.

The Story of 'Palestine 36'

The film is a sweeping historical drama that recounts the 1936–1939 Arab revolt against British colonial rule in Palestine during the Mandate period. It delves into the early months of the uprising, which marked Palestine's first national revolt, and explores how the British Mandate's pro-Zionist policies impacted Palestinian identity and laid groundwork for future conflict.

The narrative is told through the interwoven lives of various characters, including a young villager named Yusuf, a prominent journalist and political operative, and members of both the rural and urban elite, all swept up in the escalating tensions. Director Annemarie Jacir is noted for presenting the period's history definitively through a Palestinian point of view.

Oscar Bid and International Cast

Palestine 36 has been selected by the Palestinian Ministry of Culture as its entry for the 98th Academy Awards. This marks the fourth time a film by Annemarie Jacir has been chosen as Palestine’s Oscar submission, following previous works like Salt of This Sea, When I Saw You, and Wajib.

The film boasts an impressive international ensemble cast, including Palestinian heavyweights and international stars:

• Hiam Abbass
• Saleh Bakri
• Yasmine Al Massri
• Kamel El Basha
• Dhafer L’Abidine (a notable presence for Tunisian audiences at JCC)
• Oscar winner Jeremy Irons
• Liam Cunningham
• Robert Aramayo

The film had its world premiere to a standing ovation at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and has continued to receive critical acclaim, including a Best Film win at the Tokyo International Film Festival in November 2025.