Iranian Film Wins Cannes Palme d'Or Palestinian Nasser Brothers Win Best Director

At the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, Palestinian and Arab-Israeli filmmakers received significant recognition for their work highlighting Palestinian narratives amid ongoing conflict. Tawfeek Barhom, an Arab Israeli director, won the Palme d’Or in the short film category for "I'm Glad You're Dead Now," a joint Palestinian, Greek, and French production that addresses themes of liberation and peace. Palestinian twin directors Tarzan and Arab Nasser won the Best Director award in the Un Certain Regard section for their film "Once Upon a Time in Gaza," which blends comedy and drama to portray life under siege in Gaza and has been praised for its political relevance and emotional depth. The Nasser brothers expressed gratitude for international support and emphasized the importance of Palestinian voices, with their film receiving widespread acclaim from critics and audiences. Both works reflect the festival's broader engagement with Palestinian experiences, occurring alongside growing global attention to the Gaza conflict. Additionally, the festival saw a petition by artists urging the film community to address the war, signaling a heightened awareness and solidarity within the international arts scene.