The 7th Al Jazeera Balkans International Documentary Film Festival (AJB DOC), organized by Al Jazeera Balkans in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, began with the documentary “Where Olive Trees Weep”, which tells the story of the losses, traumas and search for justice of the Palestinian people under Israeli attacks.
A large number of spectators attended the opening of the festival, of which Anadolu Agency (AA) is the Global Communications Partner, held at the Bosnian Cultural Center.
This year, the festival focused on the suffering of the Palestinian people under the theme of “Justice?”, and the documentary “Where the Olive Trees Weep”, directed by Maurizio Benazzo and Zaya Benazzo, which was filmed in 2024 and portrays the struggle of the Palestinian people on the big screen, was screened at the opening night.
AJB DOC Director Edhem Foco, who came on stage wearing a Palestinian flag T-shirt, addressed the audience with the slogan “Free Palestine” and invited all Sarajevans who support justice to watch the festival documentaries.
Al Jazeera Documentary Channel Manager Ahmed Mahfouz also said that they wanted to make their voices heard against what is happening in Gaza through documentaries.
One of the main characters of the documentary, Palestinian journalist and therapist Ashira Darwish, said that Sarajevo is a city that knows what it means to be under siege, adding, “It is very important for Al Jazeera Balkans to show the realities of Palestine here.”
“What is being done to us must end now. Enough. Palestinian children should not suffer any more,” Darwish said.
AA’s “Evidence” documentary to be shown tomorrow
AA’s documentary “Evidence”, which clearly reveals Israel’s war crimes in Gaza, will be shown tomorrow as part of the festival.
After the screening, Ömer Faruk Tunç from the “Evidence” documentary team will answer questions from the Sarajevo audience.
The festival will focus on Palestine
The AJB DOC, which will continue until September 17, covers the suffering that the Palestinian people have suffered this year due to Israeli attacks.
The festival includes 24 documentaries on Israel’s violence against Palestinians, as well as world economic and political turmoil.
The jury members of the festival were Deborah London-Harrington, Namik Kabil, Mila Turajlic, Francesco Montagner and Myriam Francois.
In the competition section of AJB DOC, 3 awards will be given: “AJB Main Award”, “AJB Program Award” and “Audience Award”.
The festival will also feature an Industry Days program and panels will be held.
