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Portrait of Annemarie Jacir

Annemarie Jacir

Pioneering filmmaker, first Palestinian woman director, international cinema influencer.

Born
17 January 1974
Born in
Bethlehem, Palestine
Path
Cinema
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Why Annemarie is here

Annemarie Jacir is celebrated for her groundbreaking contributions to Palestinian cinema. She is renowned for being the first Palestinian woman to direct a feature film and for her role in shaping independent cinema in the Arab world. Her films have garnered international acclaim, reflecting the Palestinian experience and resonating with audiences globally.

Their story

Annemarie Jacir, born in Bethlehem in 1974, is a Palestinian filmmaker, writer and producer. Her short Like Twenty Impossibles was the first Arab short film selected for Cannes.

Salt of This Sea (2008) was the first feature film by a Palestinian woman director, and was followed by When I Saw You, Wajib and Palestine 36. Several were Palestine's entries to the Academy Awards, and her work has won prizes at festivals around the world.

In pictures

Milestones

The moments that shaped Annemarie’s path.

  1. 2003

    Directed 'like twenty impossibles', the first Arab short film selected at Cannes Film Festival.

  2. 2007

    Directed 'Salt of this Sea', the first feature film by a Palestinian woman.

  3. 2011

    Became the first protégée of Chinese director Zhang Yimou under the Rolex Arts Initiative.

  4. 2017

    Directed 'Wajib', which won 36 international awards.

  5. 2022

    Directed an episode of the Hulu series 'Ramy' and received an honorary doctorate from Artois University in France.

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Pioneering Palestinian female director in the international film industry.

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  2. Founder of Philistine Films, supporting Arab filmmakers.

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  3. Educator and mentor in screenwriting and filmmaking in various universities and cultural organizations.

  4. Co-founder of the Dreams of a Nation cinema project and Palestinian Filmmakers’ Collective.

  5. Directed internationally acclaimed films that brought Palestinian stories to global audiences.

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Watch & listen

Annemarie in interviews, talks and coverage.

  • 01Watch on YouTube↗

  • 02Watch on YouTube↗

Further reading

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