Exclusive: Comedy might not be the first thing that comes to mind in relation to Palestine right now, but it is the subject of feature documentary Palestinian Comedy Club which will be brought to market by sales and distribution company First Hand Films at the EFM.

Nablus-based photographer and director Alaa ‘Regash’ Aliabdallah’s follows six Palestinian stand-up comedians as they tour a groundbreaking comedy show across Palestine, using humor to explore themes of identity and resilience in the face of occupation and war.

What starts as a blending of comic traditions to encourage honest and open reflections through the shared enjoyment of laughter becomes an existential imperative to share common humanity.

Filming began ahead of the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel and the latter’s retaliatory 16-month military assault on Gaza, wrapping in May of last year.

The work is a first feature for Aliabdallah, who has won...