‘Palestine Cinema Month 2026’ to Begin in Dhaka with Three Special Screenings

A special film festival titled ‘Palestine Cinema Month 2026’ is set to begin in Dhaka, bringing stories of Palestinian lives, struggles, crises and realities to the big screen.

Organised by Drik, the month-long programme will feature special screenings of three films every Saturday evening at 6pm throughout November at DrikPath Bhobon in the capital's Dhanmondi area.

The opening screening, scheduled for Saturday, November 14, will feature Israeli filmmaker Eran Riklis's 2008 film Lemon Tree.

The 1-hour-and-46-minute film tells the story of a Palestinian widow's struggle to protect her lemon grove.

The plot centres on an Israeli defence minister who moves into a neighbouring house. Citing security concerns, authorities order the removal of the widow's lemon trees. Determined to save her beloved orchard, she takes the authorities to court, with support from a young lawyer.

Through the widow's fight to protect her private property, the film explores broader issues surrounding Palestinian land rights, identity and existence.

Lemon Tree received the Panorama Audience Award for Best Film at the 2008 Berlin International Film Festival. The same year, it also won awards for Best Actress, recognising Hiam Abbass, and Best Screenplay at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards.

The second screening will take place on November 21, featuring Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania's The Voice of Hind Rajab.

Released in 2025, the 1-hour-and-30-minute drama centres on a Palestinian child.

The festival's final screening, scheduled for November 28, will feature Naja, a 2026 documentary directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. The documentary has a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes.

All screenings are open to the public, and no prior registration is required. The venue is DrikPath Bhobon, located at 16 Sukrabad, Panthapath, Dhaka.

The initiative aims to express solidarity with Palestine and its people while creating a platform to present Palestinian stories, experiences and realities through cinema.