Annemarie Jacir’s Oscar hopeful “Palestine 36” has released its first trailer, offering a powerful glimpse into what the acclaimed Palestinian filmmaker calls “the project of my life.”
The historical drama, which is Palestine’s official submission for the 2026 Academy Awards in the international feature category, is set during the Arab Revolt of 1936 — a period Jacir describes as “a major turning point in our history.”
The Arab Revolt was a “large-scale uprising against British colonial rule,” Jacir tells Variety. “That moment set the stage for everything that was to come, and it’s a legacy we still live today.”
The film, which Jacir has spent eight years developing, centers on a group of Palestinian villagers whose lives are upended by British occupation, tracing the birth of a national movement that reverberates through generations. With a visual palette both intimate and sweeping, the trailer hints at a story grounded in resistance, memory and collective identity.
“‘Palestine 36’ tells a story vital to our history, yet one that has never been told on film,” Jacir says. “And while I made this film for Palestinians, I hope it also speaks to colonized people everywhere who continue to feel the echoes of that past.”
Jacir, who previously represented Palestine with “Wajib” (2017), “When I Saw You” (2012) and “Salt of the Sea” (2008), has long been regarded as one of the most influential voices in Arab cinema. With this fourth Oscar submission, she continues her mission of reframing Palestinian narratives through authenticity and artistry.
“I hope audiences will be open to receiving a story from the other side — from those who were colonized,” Jacir shares. “History is not only written by the winners. Through this film, I wanted to center Palestinian voices and bring them to the screen with honesty and strength.”
The critically acclaimed drama stars Hiam Abbass, Kamel El Basha, Yasmine Al Massri, Jalal Altawil, Robert Aramayo, Saleh Bakri, Liam Cunningham and Jeremy Irons.
Murtada Elfadl wrote in his Variety review, “Jacir’s film reminds that history is not abstract, but lived through families and small moments of solidarity and conflict. By uniting epic scope with intimate detail, it delivers a portrait of a people fractured yet unbroken.”
The film had its world premiere in the Gala Presentations section of the Toronto International Film Festival back in September. Following its Oscar-qualifying run last month by Watermelon Pictures, “Palestine 36” will have its L.A. premiere at the AFI Film Festival on Oct. 25. The U.S. release is set for early 2026.
Watch the full trailer below.