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Manila Bulletin devider Embassies at Work devider Palestine Embassy hosts special screening of 'From Ground Zero – Untold Stories from Gaza’

Palestine Embassy hosts special screening of 'From Ground Zero – Untold Stories from Gaza’

Published Apr 14, 2025 08:10 am
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Ambassador Dr. Smiljana Knez of the Embassy of Slovenia with Ambassador Mounir Y.K. Anastas

On April 8, the Embassy of the State of Palestine in the Philippines, led by Ambassador Mounir Y.K. Anastas, hosted a short film screening produced by a new generation of young Palestinian filmmakers. The screening, titled "From Ground Zero – Untold Stories from Gaza," was held at Alliance Française de Manille in Makati.

In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Mounir shared “Through the lens of their cameras, and under the bombshell, these brave artists document survival, sorrow, and resistance, transforming pain into powerful storytelling.”

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Ambassador Álvaro Domingo Jara Bucarey of the Embassy of Chile, Ambassador Miguel Utray Delgado of the Embassy of Spain, Ambassador Mounir Y.K. Anastas,  and couple Connie and Ambassador Vic Garcia

He added, “These films are urgent cries for justice, artistic acts of defiance, and a testament to the unbreakable spirit of Gaza’s youth. In a world where mainstream media often distorts or silences their narrative, these young voices reclaim their story—one frame at a time. This collection is not just cinema; it is survival. It is Gaza, as lived and told by those who refuse to be forgotten. It is a message of a last call: please don’t forget us.”

Initiated by Palestinian director Rashid Masharawi, the 2024 anthology film “From Ground Zero – Untold Stories from Gaza” is composed of 22 short films, including documentaries, fiction, animation, and experimental works that reflect the current situation of the people in Gaza. Each film, directed by a different Palestinian filmmaker, runs for three minutes and serves as a canvas for personal storytelling. The project aims to give artists and filmmakers in Gaza a platform to share their narratives through cinema. Masharawi also founded the Masharawi Fund for Cinema and Filmmakers in Gaza to support young Palestinian filmmakers in expressing themselves and telling their stories through film.

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Ambassador Mounir Y.K. Anastas and Qatar Ambassador Ahmed Saad N. A. Al-Homidi

The Manila screening  showed four short films out of the said 22 short films, and was attended by Ambassadors of Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Egypt, Germany, Ireland, Malaysia, Morocco, Qatar, Russian Federation, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Syria, and Turkiye. 

The event was likewise graced by government officials, media personalities, as well as friends of the embassy. A reception was served before the film showing.

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Consul General of Syria Mohammad Issam El-Debs, Ambassador Mounir Y.K. Anastas, Raffy Guevarra and Egypt Ambassador Nader Nabil Zaki
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Malaysia Embassy Counsellor Nadhirah Mohammad Zanudin, Ambassador Mounir Y.K. Anastas and Ambassador Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino of the Embassy of Malaysia
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Ambassador Niyazi Evren Akyol of the Embassy of Turkiye shares a light moment with Ambassador Mounir Y.K. Anastas
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Ambassador Mounir Y.K. Anastas with South Africa Ambassador Bartinah Ntombizodwa Radebe-Netshitenzhe and Malaysia Ambassador Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino

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