Animations from children of Gaza to receive Dublin screening debut

James Cox

A special screening of short animations created by children from Gaza will take place in Dublin on Monday, June 16th.

The Gaza in Colour screening will see 17 of these short films receive their cinematic debut in The Stella Cinema, Rathmines at 6pm.

The Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, will open the screening. The screening has been organised by Shauna Cullen of Jam Media with additional from Animation Ireland and Avalon Films.

These short animations exist thanks to the efforts of Haneen Koraz, a former teacher and now an acclaimed animation director and mentor from Gaza.

Working with children based in refugee camps in Gaza, she provides animation workshops where these young artists can express themselves, process trauma, and "preserve their stories and their sense of childhood".

"These workshops serve as small acts of resistance, joy, and healing in deeply difficult times.

"Through animation, these young voices are speaking to the world, and Haneen is helping to make sure they’re heard. The animations present a sometimes fantastical, sometimes comedic and sometimes poignant sense of the daily lives experienced by these children who range in age from 5 years old upwards."

Some of the short films they have prepared include ‘Six Children and One Plate’ and ‘My Grandfather’s Magical Cane’, which were created by children from the Basmat Almat Camp in the city of Deir al-Balah, Gaza.

The hope is that this Dublin cinema screening will help bring focus to the work of these children and encourage more people to watch and engage with their short films, which are published on a weekly basis through the Instagram of Animation Community for Palestine.

Speaking about the event, Shauna Cullen said: “Like many, I’ve been heartbroken and overwhelmed by the horrors unfolding in Palestine. Amid this devastation, I came across something extraordinary: children, living in tents, creating animated films under the guidance of Haneen Koraz. Haneen has become a beacon of creativity and hope in the midst of unimaginable circumstances."

Ms Cullen added: “What these children have been able to produce is remarkable. Even when the full dimensions of reality become too much to bear, these children are able to find escape through art and creativity.

“This evening is both a celebration of their creativity and a gesture of solidarity. We want to show these children that people are paying attention to them and that people are interested in their art.

"We want to get more people looking at these short animations either on the day itself or via the Instagram of Animation Community for Palestine. Every view sends a message to these children that people are paying attention to what they are doing and to their struggle. It helps amplify their voices, while also affirming their right to dream, to tell their stories, and to be children."

Anyone who is interested in these animations and would like to follow the Instagram can do so on Animation Community for Palestine, which can be found on Instagram.com/ac4pal