The inaugural JAHA Film Festival will celebrate trans, intersex and nonbinary (TIN) filmmakers from the Global South, centring “Palestinian and anti-colonial movements globally” as it aims to recognise cinema’s role as a “weapon of collective liberation”.
Organisers said: “The festival comes at a critical time, when those who dare to speak out against systematic oppression, particularly TIN people, often face harsh repercussions and censorship.
“JAHA was created by the trans, Palestinian multidisciplinary artist Mama Ganuush to spotlight voices from outside the gender binary who are taking risks and telling stories the world needs to see more of right now.
“Out of more than 1,100 submissions, Mama Ganuush and a panel of filmmakers, scholars and activists selected 29 films, including works from Brazil, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Palestine, Tunisia, Turtle Island (aka North America) and the UK.”
For those attending in person in Lisboa, Portugal, all screenings are free and include filmmaker discussions, a kick-off party, with a closing night featuring a fireside chat with the pioneering trans director Susan Stryker, whose film Screaming Queens remains one of the most awarded and well-loved trans documentaries.
Dates and locations for the festival are listed below:
6 December 2025 — Casa do Comum, Rua da Rosa 285, Lisboa
7 December 2025 — Casa Capitão, Rua do Grilo 119, Lisboa
10 December 2025 — Casa do Comum
14 December 2025 — Casa do Comum — closing night with Susan Stryker
Next year, global audiences will be able to view the films online, starting 14 February 2026.
More information is available on the JAHA website.
