By Taghreed Saadeh
The Royal Film Commission -Jordan has announced the selection of the feature film “What’s Left of You” to officially represent the Kingdom in the 98th Academy Awards in the International Feature Film category for 2026. The film, written and directed by Jordanian-Palestinian filmmaker Cherien Dabis, marks her latest achievement in a distinguished career that has left a strong imprint on world cinema.
At the same time, the Palestinian Ministry of Culture has chosen “Palestine 36” by Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Jacir to represent the State of Palestine in the preliminary list for Best International Feature Film in the same Oscars edition, reflecting the continued presence of Palestinian cinema on the global stage, this time through powerful female voices.
What’s Left of You: Memory and Resistance on Screen
The film tells the story of a Palestinian teenager taking part in protests in the West Bank, while his mother recalls the family’s history since 1948, marked by struggle, hope, and resilience. Starring Saleh Bakri, Adam Bakri, Mohammad Bakri, and Maria Zreik, the film was produced by German producer Thanassis Karathanos and shot in Amman and Al-Balqa with a local crew of 90 people, benefiting from the Royal Film Commission’s incentives.
What’s Left of You received critical acclaim at its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, before winning major international awards, including the Golden Gate Award and the Audience Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival, the Audience Award at the Sydney Film Festival, and Best Film and Best Screenplay at the Malaysia International Film Festival.
Director Cherien Dabis first gained international attention with her debut feature “Amreeka” (2009), which premiered at Sundance and won the FIPRESCI Prize at Cannes, along with more than 12 international awards. She has also directed and produced episodes of acclaimed global series such as Ramy, Mo, Ozark, and Only Murders in the Building.
Palestine 36: History Repeats Itself
Annemarie Jacir’s “Palestine 36” takes audiences back to 1936, during the British Mandate in Palestine, when the largest and longest revolt against colonial rule erupted. The film follows Youssef as he moves between his rural village and politically charged Jerusalem, amid growing waves of Jewish immigration from Europe. With tensions rising, the country edges toward an inevitable confrontation that will shape the future of the region.
The two-hour historical drama features an outstanding cast of Arab and international actors, including Jeremy Irons, Saleh Bakri, Hiam Abbass, Yasmine Al Massri, and Dhafer L’Abidine. The film is expected to garner significant attention with its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
Annemarie Jacir is regarded as one of the most prominent Palestinian directors, known for her films that embody a clear identity and a strong human message. Her works—“Salt of This Sea” (2008), “When I Saw You” (2012), and “Wajib” (2017)—have been critically acclaimed worldwide.
Between Memory and Identity
What stands out in both Jordan’s and Palestine’s selections is that they tell Palestinian stories through the lenses of Palestinian women filmmakers, placing identity and history at the heart of their cinematic narratives. While What’s Left of You delves into the memory of the Nakba and the resilience of generations, Palestine 36 revisits one of the most significant moments of Palestinian resistance against British colonialism.
This dual presence underscores cinema’s role as a space for resisting oblivion and reclaiming the Palestinian narrative on the global stage. It also highlights the growing influence of Palestinian women directors, whose works combine courage in storytelling with depth in artistic expression.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce the list of eligible films on December 16, 2025, with the final nominations to be revealed on January 22, 2026. The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 16, 2026, in Hollywood.
Until then, the selection of these two films stands as a testament that Palestinian cinema, whether through Jordan or Palestine, continues to affirm its presence on the world stage, presenting human stories that cross borders while remaining deeply rooted in the land of the Nakba and the struggle for freedom.
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