We are inviting youth, educators, and community members to join us in organizing and showing a film about the Nakba in their school community. Most youth are not taught about the Nakba in schools and this is an opportunity to teach the Nakba. We encourage folks to show movies from May 15th (the anniversary of the Nakba) through May 30th, however you can also plan a film for the summer or fall. 

The Nakba – “Catastrophe” in Arabic – happened in 1948 when Palestinians were forcefully displaced from their homelands during the creation of Israel. Here we are recognizing 250 years since the United States was created and this film series can also be used to reflect on the settler colonial project we are a part of. This is a contested topic and there will likely be pushback, so folks wanting to show a film should be ready and prepared for this. 

You can show the film at your school and this may be a way to assert your freedom of speech. Schools after hours are often free speech zones, you can look at your schools public use policy. However, showing at the school may create more pushback. You can also show it at the library or another community space such as a church.  

Recommended Movies to Show:

All That's Left of You - 2.5 hours, but really good - Available on YouTube. All That's Left of You shows 1948 to around 1995 or so. And also shows the joy, love and resilience as well as the pain and suffering. Probably the best one to show.

Farha - 1.5 hours - Available on YouTube. Also very good. One girl's experience during the Nakba. Leaves time for discussion if that's needed.

How we can support you:

• We can reimburse the cost of renting/purchasing the movie to show

• We can reimburse up to $100 worth of snacks for your event

• If you are having trouble finding space or the school says no, we can support you with finding space.

• We can support with connecting you with someone knowledgeable about this topic to offer background and support with framing. 

• We are hosting an online meeting for folks interested in hosting Nakba movie showing on Thursday, April 30th from 5:00-6:00. We will provide more tips, tools, and guidance on this project then. Register here for the online meeting.

• Curricular connections coming soon!

If you’re thinking of hosting a movie showing please fill out this form, so we can support you!

This movie series is organized by the Education Justice Coalition of Vermont, Jewish Voice for Peace, and the Vermont Coalition for Palestinian Liberation.