Palestine names Annemarie Jacir’s 'Palestine 36' for Oscar race

Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir's new film Palestine 36 has been selected as the Palestinian entry for best international feature film at next year's Oscars.

The historical drama takes place during the Palestinian revolt against British rule in 1936 and follows several characters trying to adjust as their lives are changed by the growing rebellion.

Karim Daoud Anaya plays Yusuf, a young man travelling between Jerusalem and his rural village, while Hiam Abbass – of Succession and Blade Runner 2049 fame - plays a grandmother trying to help her daughter (Wardi Eilabouni) cope with the changes.

Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons, Game of Thrones star Liam Cunningham, and Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power's Robert Aramayo also star.

The film will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September.

Palestine 36 was chosen by a committee of Palestinian film professionals and was confirmed by the culture ministry.

This is Jacir's fourth film to be selected as Palestine's Oscars entry, following Salt Of This Sea (2009), When I Saw You (2013), and Wajib (2018)

The production was supposed to be filmed in Bethlehem but was forced to relocate to Jordan after the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023.

It was produced by Ossama Bawardi and Azzam Fakhriddin for Philistine Films, as well as several European production companies.

The Doha Film Institute, BBC Film and the British Film Institute are among the backers of the film.