Rashid Masharawi

From Ground Zero is a collection of 22 short films made in Gaza. Initiated by Palestinian director Rashid Masharawi, the project was born to give a voice to 22 Gazan filmmakers to tell the untold stories of the current war on film. (imdb)

Palestinian director Rashid Mashawari follows his widely acclaimed dark comedy Laila's Birthday with this compelling and ironic drama about two brothers on the West Bank who, rendered homeless by an Israeli air strike, hustle odd jobs to raise enough money to emigrate to Canada. (tiff.net)

Abu Laila used to be a judge, but because the government doesn't have the means to renew his assignment he is forced to be a taxi driver. On the day his daughter Laila becomes seven years old his wife insists that he'll be at home early and bring her a present and a cake. Abu Laila's has nothing else on his mind then completing this mission. But the daily life in Palestine has other plans. (imdb)

A Palestinian film projectionist's perseverance is put to the test when he tries to organize a film screening in Jerusalem's old city. (The Museum of Modern Art)

Haifa, nicknamed after the city of his love and hope, goes around and comes around in a Palestinian refugee camp. Although he is everybody's fool, there are many things that only he knows. He is closely related to the family of Abu Said, a former policeman who gains new hopes from the political developments. Oum Said, his wife, hangs her hope on the imminent release of their eldest son, Said, from jail. She tries to find him a bride to secure things for the future. (imdb)

This pointed drama portrays a day in the life of a Palestinian family -- a day that quickly changes when the Israeli military imposes a local curfew. From that point on, they must live behind closed shutters, barred from their daily lives and needs. (netflix)