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In a significant achievement, Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie secured three prestigious awards at the 9th edition of the International Return Film Festival. The festival, held under the theme "Awaiting Return... A Return," witnessed widespread participation from local and international cultural and artistic institutions and academies.
Kadoorie's participation featured a series of student-produced films created by the Department of Media Technology students from the Faculty of Arts and Educational Sciences. The films, developed under the guidance of distinguished academic and field professionals, reflect the integration of theory and practice, while emphasizing art as a tool for resistance, awareness, and identity.
Awards Received
1. Best Documentary Film
o Film: "Wedding"
o Director: Amal Murshid
o Team Members: Jumana Al-Sheikh Ibrahim, Ebaa Al-Masri, Rahaf Abu Zeina, and Amna Ismail
o Supervisor: Professor Mohammed Al-Haj Yaseen
2. Key of Return Award for Best Student Documentary Film
o Film: "On the Road"
o Director: Rwand Al-Sus
o Team Members: Roa Duraidi, Rahaf Al-Zqzooq, Mohab Omar, and Waad Suwan
o Supervisor: Professor Amal Dweikat
3. Key of Return Award for Best Student Narrative Film
o Film: "Friends' Path"
o Director: Aseel Abu Sariya
o Team Members: Raghad Faraj, Lina Ubaid, and Lana Qubaj
o Supervisor: Dr. Alaa Al-Din Ayash
Festival Highlights
The festival’s opening ceremony, hosted at Birzeit University, honored the winning teams in the presence of prominent cultural, artistic, and academic figures. Key attendees included Birzeit University President Dr. Talal Shihwan, Minister of Culture Mr. Imad Al-Din Hamdan, renowned Palestinian director Buthaina Khoury, and Dr. Alaa Al-Din Ayash, the festival coordinator in the West Bank and a jury member. Esteemed Palestinian and Arab filmmakers and directors also attended the event.
Statements from University Leadership
• Dr. Ahmed Ammar, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Educational Sciences:
“The faculty takes immense pride in this distinguished achievement, which showcases the creative potential of our students and the commitment of our academic staff to their mission. Kadoorie has evolved beyond being an academic institution—it is now a hub for creativity and a pillar of the national cultural scene.”
• Professor Atef Shuqair, Head of the Media Technology Department:
“This accomplishment is the result of continuous effort by the department to enhance students’ production capabilities in documentary and narrative filmmaking, serving the Palestinian cause in both local and international arenas. The department has mobilized all its material and technical resources to provide a stimulating production environment, enabling students to present their people’s issues with professional and visual awareness, and to communicate impactful messages through the language of cinema.”
Global Reach of the Festival
The 9th International Return Film Festival featured 333 films from 43 countries and held opening events in over 15 countries worldwide. This global dimension underscores the festival’s effectiveness in bringing the Palestinian voice to international platforms through cinematic and visual creativity.
The closing ceremony emphasized that Palestinian cinema is more than an artistic expression—it is a form of cultural resistance and a visual memory that strengthens the Palestinian narrative and affirms the right of return as an enduring national and humanitarian cause.
