Yahoo Lifestyle First Hand Films Boards Sales On ‘Palestinian Comedy Club’ For EFM Launch
EXCLUSIVE: Comedy might not be the first thing that comes to mind in relation to Palestine right now, but it is the subject of feature documentary Palestinian Comedy Club which will be brought to market by sales and distribution company First Hand Films at the EFM.
Nablus-based photographer and director Alaa ‘Ragash’ Aliabdallah’s follows six Palestinian stand-up comedians as they tour a groundbreaking comedy show across Palestine, using humor to explore themes of identity and resilience in the face of occupation and war.
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What starts as a blending of comic traditions to encourage honest and open reflections through the shared enjoyment of laughter becomes an existential imperative to share common humanity.
Filming began ahead of the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel and the latter’s retaliatory 16-month military assault on Gaza, wrapping in May of last year.
The work is a first feature for Aliabdallah, who has won recognition for his portraits and street photography alongside working with West Bank performing arts groups such as the Palestinian Circus School, Freedom Theatre, Stereo48 Dance Company, and Sarreyet Ramallah.
The feature-doc is produced by Charlotte Knowles under the banner of her company Tough Crowd Limited.
Knowles was previously CEO of the Independent Film Trust, aimed at fostering diversity and representation in the film industry, where she oversaw the development and production of various critically acclaimed projects, including the award-winning, Scottish BAFTA and BIFA nominated documentary Rebel Dykes.
“In Palestine Comedy Club, we capture the humour, resilience, and courage of Palestinian life amidst the realities of occupation, offering a fresh perspective rarely seen globally. Through vibrant performances and raw, authentic storytelling, we celebrate Palestinian culture and its ability to inspire unity and reflection,” said Knowles.
“We are thrilled to partner with First Hand Films to share this compelling story with audiences worldwide.”
Zurich-based First Hand Films will handle international sales and distribution for Palestine Comedy Club in a partnership which was forged following the project’s presentation at the Cannes Marché du Film in 2024, where it was showcased as part of the Cannes Docs-in-Progress strand.
“This film is an amazing contribution to both art and politics. Humor can transport contents like nothing else, and showcased like in Palestinian Comedy Club, we can truly follow my company’s motto that films have to make their audiences laugh, cry, fall in love, and learn something,” said First Hand Films’ founder and CEO Esther van Messel.
“The film is made with a keen eye, a steady editing hand and a big heart – and never loses sight of its goals, of changing the world one joke, one film at a time,” she added.
First Hand Films – which has sold hundreds of award-winning docs since its creation in 1998 – has a track record in handling films tackling Middle East stories having previously sold Gaza filmmaker Mohamed Jabaly’s IDFA winner Life is Beautiful, David Wachsmann’s Two Kids A Day, and Dalit Kimor’s Unkept Stories.
Palestinian Comedy Club is set to debut on the international festival circuit in 2025, with the filmmakers planning to combine screenings with live performances by the comedians featured in the documentary.
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