Festivals – War Watch

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Culture | Donald Trump | Eid al-Fitr | Festivals | Gaza | Global development | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islam | Israel | Israel-Gaza war | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestine | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Ramadan | Religion | World news

In Gaza, the joy of Eid has gone. Visiting relatives at the end of Ramadan is a procession through loss | Ahmed Kamal Junina
ByAhmed Kamal Junina March 24, 2026

Every home is missing someone, every person is carrying grief. We went not to celebrate but to sit with the bereavedEid al-Fitr is meant to bring release. It comes at the end of Ramadan, after a month of fasting and prayer, and in Gaza it has always ca…

Read More In Gaza, the joy of Eid has gone. Visiting relatives at the end of Ramadan is a procession through loss | Ahmed Kamal Junina
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Culture | Donald Trump | Festivals | Film | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestine | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Wim Wenders | World news

Javier Bardem and Tilda Swinton among those to condemn Berlinale’s ‘silence’ on Gaza
ByNadia Khomami Arts and culture correspondent February 17, 2026

At least 80 film-makers and stars sign open letter after German festival jury president Wim Wenders says they should keep out of politicsMore than 80 current and former participants of the Berlinale, including Javier Bardem, Tilda Swinton and Adam McKa…

Read More Javier Bardem and Tilda Swinton among those to condemn Berlinale’s ‘silence’ on Gaza
Afghanistan | Africa | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Cate Blanchett | Culture | Donald Trump | Drama films | Europe | Festivals | Film | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Migration | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Rotterdam film festival | Short films | Somalia | South and central Asia | Syria | Ukraine | World news

Displacement Film Fund review – Cate Blanchett masterminds short film collection that brims with life and intensity
ByPeter Bradshaw January 30, 2026

Rotterdam film festivalA set of shorts by film-makers from Afghanistan, Iran, Ukraine, Syria and Somalia are shocking, funny and mysterious in equal measureWith considerable chutzpah and elan, and in her capacity as producer and UNHCR Goodwill ambassad…

Read More Displacement Film Fund review – Cate Blanchett masterminds short film collection that brims with life and intensity
Belgium | Classical music | Festivals | Flanders Festival Ghent | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel Philharmonic | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Jan Van den Bossche | Munich Philharmonic | Shani, Lahav

Music Festival in Belgium Cancels Concert Led by Israeli Conductor
ByAdam Nagourney September 11, 2025

The Flanders Festival Ghent dropped a Munich Philharmonic program, citing concerns over a conductor’s possible views on Gaza. German leaders called the move antisemitic.

Read More Music Festival in Belgium Cancels Concert Led by Israeli Conductor
Belgium | Classical music | Festivals | Flanders Festival Ghent (Music Festival) | Gaza Strip | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel Philharmonic | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Munich Philharmonic | Shani, Lahav

Music Festival in Belgium Cancels Concert Led by Israeli Conductor
ByAdam Nagourney September 11, 2025September 11, 2025

The Flanders Festival Ghent dropped a Munich Philharmonic program, citing concerns over a conductor’s possible views on Gaza. German leaders called the move antisemitic.

Read More Music Festival in Belgium Cancels Concert Led by Israeli Conductor
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Brian Eno | Culture | Donald Trump | Festivals | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza war | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Music | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices

‘Neutrality should not be an option’: why are so many artists now speaking out on Gaza?
ByTim Jonze September 10, 2025

Musician Brian Eno and artist Malak Mattar, key figures in next week’s Together for Palestine concert, explain why artists are putting fears of a backlash aside and uniting in the call for actionA red carpet event, especially one to promote the new Dow…

Read More ‘Neutrality should not be an option’: why are so many artists now speaking out on Gaza?
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Brian Eno | Culture | Donald Trump | Festivals | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza war | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Music | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices

‘Neutrality should not be an option’: why are so many artists now speaking out on Gaza?
ByTim Jonze September 10, 2025

Musician Brian Eno and artist Malak Mattar, key figures in next week’s Together for Palestine concert, explain why artists are putting fears of a backlash aside and uniting in the call for actionA red carpet event, especially one to promote the new Dow…

Read More ‘Neutrality should not be an option’: why are so many artists now speaking out on Gaza?
Africa | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Culture | Donald Trump | Drama films | Festivals | Film | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza war | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Tunisia | Venice film festival | World news

The Voice of Hind Rajab review – docufiction is fierce, vehement and heart-shattering
ByPeter Bradshaw September 4, 2025

In an audacious move, director Kaouther Ben Hania reconstructs the killing of the five-year-old in Gaza using her real voice as she is bombarded by the Israeli armyThere can be no doubt about which movie has set the Venice film festival ablaze – it is …

Read More The Voice of Hind Rajab review – docufiction is fierce, vehement and heart-shattering
Actors and Actresses | Demonstrations, Protests and Riots | Festivals | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Movies | Palestinians | Venice (Italy) | Venice International Film Festival | Venice4Palestine

Pro-Palestinian Protesters at the Venice Film Festival Raise Gaza War
ByDerrick Bryson Taylor and Kyle Buchanan August 30, 2025

In the days leading up to the festival, hundreds of film professionals signed an open letter demanding that the star-studded event take a stance against the crisis in Gaza.

Read More Pro-Palestinian Protesters at the Venice Film Festival Raise Gaza War