Palestinian director Najwa Najjar was elected as a member of the Board of Directors of the European Film Academy

The European Film Academy elected Palestinian director Najwa Najjar as a member of its Board of Directors for the 2026-2027 session, in a move that reflects the advanced position she occupies in the international cinema scene, and confirms the continued appreciation for her creativity and rich artistic career in the fields of narrative and documentary cinema.

On this occasion, the Gaza International Women’s Film Festival and the Jerusalem International Film Festival, headed by Dr. Ezzedine Shallah, extended their warmest congratulations to director Najwa Najjar, considering that this election “constitutes an important achievement for Palestinian cinema in general, and for Palestinian women in particular, and evidence of the growing presence of Palestinian cinematic voices in international cinematic institutions.”

Dr. Shallah said, “Najjar is one of the most prominent Palestinian and Arab directors, as she possesses a distinguished artistic credential that makes her one of the most important Palestinian cinematic voices.” He pointed out that she “studied cinema in the United States, and during her career she presented a number of remarkable works,” including the films “Myrrh and the Pomegranate,” “The Eyes of the Thief,” and “Between Heaven and Earth,” which won numerous international awards and received widespread attendance at prestigious film festivals.

Shallah added that Najjar “distinguished herself in addressing topics related to the experience of Palestinian women and daily life under occupation, in addition to human and social conflicts, in a cinematic style that combines artistic creativity and a humanitarian message, which earned her the respect of critics and audiences at the international level, in addition to her membership in the Academy of Arts and Sciences.”

He stressed that “her election to the Board of Directors of the European Film Academy constitutes a deserved culmination of her creative career, and reflects the presence of Palestinian cinema in the highest international cinema forums, and the role of Palestinian women in the film industry.”

This achievement comes to enhance the prospects for cultural and artistic cooperation between Palestinian and international cinema, and supports communication with international cinematic institutions, thus contributing to consolidating the creative and humanitarian status of Palestinian cinema on the international scene.