Palestinian Creatives Pipeline

The Palestinian Students Program in collaboration with Ra’a, aims to address the significant underrepresentation of Palestinian students in Israeli film schools. These students face numerous barriers, including language challenges, economic disparities, cultural divides, and systemic discrimination. By investing in their education and fostering a supportive creative community, this initiative seeks to cultivate a new generation of Palestinian filmmakers who can contribute their unique voices to the Israeli, Palestinian, and international film industries.
The program includes enrichment sessions, masterclasses, and personalized mentorship throughout the year, as well as grants for participants producing their graduation films. Additionally, students will gain industry exposure through networking events with professionals, peer support, and open discussions.

About Ra’a
Founded by Jalal Masarwa and Rosalin Agbaria, Ra’a was created to support Palestinian filmmakers in Israel. Initially a local initiative, it quickly expanded into a significant platform for emerging creators. Established with the support of the New Fund for Cinema and Television (NFCT), Ra’a promotes creative freedom and has helped develop numerous first films. Today, it continues to grow, shaping the local film landscape and amplifying Palestinian storytelling.

Founded in 1989, the Sam Spiegel Film & Television School Jerusalem has been at the forefront of groundbreaking screen storytelling and was named one of the 15 best film & television schools outside the US for seven consecutive years. Since 2022, the school has operated annual study programs in Arabic for aspiring screenwriters and creatives in Jerusalem, Haifa and Nazareth. It also offers an annual pre-college program for Palestinians of East Jerusalem and Arabic-speaking students who later enrol in the school's 4-year director's program. The program provides scholarships, language courses, theoretical and vocational courses by leading Palestinian filmmakers and cultural visits to leading museums. In 2025, the school will offer an additional 2-year study program in editing and post-production for Arabic-speaking students.

Photos by Benjamin Freidenberg

This program is in partnership with Ra’a and New Fund for Film and Television
Currently, there are no concentrated efforts to support Palestinian filmmakers in Israel. Over the years the NFCT has invested resources in trying to identify promising talents amongst Israel’s Palestinian society, but have been able to support very few, due to language barriers and general lack of trust. In light of a substantially smaller number of active Arab-Palestinian filmmakers within the Israeli film industry, the NFCT committed to using its extensive experience to nurture and empower filmmakers from Palestinian society in Israel through two complementary programs: first, Ra'-the Filmmakers' Forum, based in Taibeh; and second, an annual call for applications from Palestinian filmmakers across Israel. Through this call, we will provide financial and professional support to short/long films in any genre (the length and genre, and amount of projects supported depend on funds secured for the program).