Queer Cinema for Palestine Fiercely Confronts Israeli Pinkwashing

It’s a well-known fact that Israel has long promoted itself as a gay haven as a smokescreen for committing human rights atrocities in Palestine.

Queer Cinema for Palestine was born in resistance to Israel's pinkwashing, in response to the Tel Aviv International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, which claims to “struggle for equality and respect by creating a serious... controversial discourse through the medium of queer cinema” while receiving funding from the Israeli government.

Calling out TLVFest’s hypocrisy, Queer Cinema for Palestine seeks to use film in an earnest and genuine way to address human rights abuse, while promoting and celebrating tolerance. It has united over 300 queer filmmakers in a pledge to not screen at TLVfest, and has curated eight new short films ahead of Pride month in June 2025.

All films are made and shown in solidarity with Palestinians, denouncing Israel’s genocidal attacks and war crimes.

Screenings will be shown in various partner venues across the world, with locations announced in May.

Check out some of the short films that will be shown below:

Out of Gaza

Seza Tiyara Selen, Jannis Osterburg, 9min, Germany (2025)

This 9-minute stop-motion film was created by two students from Hidesheim in Germany. It follows the story of a young Palestinian woman trying to flee Gaza with friends, and the world they find beyond Gaza’s borders.

Blood Like Water

Dima Hamdan, 14min, Palestine (2023)

A Palestinian-Jordanian award-winning director, Hamdan’s film follows Shadi, who accidentally drags his family into a trap. This true story explores the pressure Palestinian families face under Israeli occupation, and what happens if they refuse to collaborate.

Palcorecore

Dana Dawud, 8min, Internet footage from Palestine (2023)

This short is based entirely on archival footage found on the internet, offering a visceral portrait of Palestinian life. It spans different times in recent Palestinian history, capturing a changing land—from hazy beach days to flag-waving acts of rebellion—resulting in a colourful mosaic of Palestinian life and resistance.

Queer Cinema for Palestine will run across June. For more information on the films and screening locations, click here.