Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Jaha Film Festival is a dedicated platform that celebrates and amplifies the voices of trans, intersex, and non-binary filmmakers from the Global South. We believe cinema is a powerful, radical, and joyful act of resistance for reclaiming our narratives. Our mission centers Palestinian liberation as intrinsic to the collective freedom of all oppressed peoples.

  • "Jaha" is an Arabic word (جَ هَ ة) that translates to "direction," "side," or "front." It symbolizes our festival's purpose: to point toward new horizons, center marginalized perspectives, and stand on the front lines of cultural and political expression through film.

  • We view all struggles for justice and self-determination as interconnected. By centering Palestinian liberation, we actively challenge colonial narratives and affirm that true collective freedom cannot be achieved while one people remains under occupation. This principle is foundational to our curation and community.

  • The Jaha Film Festival 2026 will be an online event, accessible globally from February 14 to February 28, 2026. This digital format allows us to build a wide, accessible community across borders.

  • All tickets and film streams will be hosted on our official festival platform at jaha.eventive.org. Passes can be purchased there. Once you have a ticket, you can stream the films on-demand at any time during the festival dates. We offer free unlimited passes to anyone who can not afford to watch the film with their community.

  • All films are available on-demand for the entire duration of the festival (Feb 14-28, 2026). You can watch at your convenience. Any live virtual events (like Q&As) will have their times clearly listed in Eastern Time (ET) on the Eventive schedule.

  • For the 2026 online festival, most films will be available for on-demand streaming throughout the entire two-week period. Some geographical limitation in screening for “Kabuki” (available in Portugal only) and Maghreb’s Hope (not available in Libya, Algeria, Morocco, or Tunisia), it will be clearly marked on their individual film page on Eventive.

  • We use "Global South" not just as a geographical term, but as a political and economic one that refers to regions and communities historically marginalized by colonialism and imperialism. We prioritize filmmakers from Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East, including diaspora communities.

  • The most direct way to support is by purchasing a festival pass and spreading the word! For organizational partnerships, grants, or sponsorship inquiries, please contact us via the email info@jahafilmfestival.com . We rely on community support to sustain this vital platform.

  • We welcome submissions from trans, intersex, and non-binary filmmakers from the Global South. Our call for entries for the 2027 edition starts March 1, 2026. Please bookmark jahafilmfestival.com, follow us on instagram.com/jahafilmfestival , and check back for guidelines and deadlines.

  • JAHA exclusively centers the work of filmmakers who identify as Two-Spirit, transgender, intersex, nonbinary, or hold culturally-specific gender-variant identities (e.g., Muxe, Māhū, Fa'afafine, etc.). We prioritize filmmakers from and stories connected to the Global South and Indigenous communities worldwide. Eligibility is based on self-identification.

  • We seek films that engage with themes of liberation, joy, reclaiming heritage, and futurity. Specifically, films about collective resistance, anti-colonial movements, bodily autonomy, celebration, resilience, identity, and visionary imaginings of new futures for our communities.

  • Yes. To preserve the integrity of our space as one of radical solidarity, we cannot accept films that have received funding from certain sources. This includes entities supporting illegal settlements, military/security/extraction industries in occupied territories, or Israeli state film funds. A full declaration is required upon submission, and falsification leads to disqualification.

  • Official selections receive laurels, presentation in our global 2026/2027 program, a platform for artist talks and networking, and extended worldwide visibility. Films from our first edition are part of a continuing online program, ensuring lasting impact.

  • ou grant JAHA a non-exclusive license to screen the film digitally during the festival and use clips/stills for promotion. Importantly, you also grant permission for JAHA to use full clips or excerpts for non-commercial educational purposes through initiatives like our "Trans Liberation Film School," aligning with our mission to use cinema as a tool for change.

  • You must declare any geographical or platform-based streaming restrictions (e.g., "Not available in the UK") in the dedicated field on the submission form. If you leave it blank, we will assume you authorize unrestricted international digital screening by the festival.

  • JAHA is committed to a harassment-free, respectful environmentfor all. We have a strict zero-tolerance policy for discrimination, hate speech, racism, transphobia, or harassment based on identity. Violations result in removal from the festival without refund.

  • The Trans Liberation Film School is an educational initiative by the JAHA Film Festival that extends our mission beyond the screen. It is a radical pedagogical space where cinema is used as a tool for analysis, strategy, and community building. We move from watching films to critically understanding and creating the media that shapes our movements for liberation.

  • No. While it includes filmmaking workshops, the school is for anyone interested in the power of story as a weapon for change. It is designed for activists, organizers, community educators, writers, and aspiring filmmakers who want to explore how narrative can dismantle oppression and envision freer futures.

  • The school is a direct extension of the festival's programming. It draws upon the selected films as core curriculum texts. Through workshops, talks, and discussions, we deconstruct the themes, filmmaking techniques, and political contexts of the festival's lineup to deepen the impact of the stories we showcase.

  • Programs focus on theory and practice. Topics may include: "Decolonizing the Gaze," "Storytelling for Organizing," "Practical Filmmaking for Activists," and deep-dive analyses of films centered on anti-colonial, trans, and intersex liberation. The structure prioritizes accessible, community-led learning.

  • As part of our commitment to using cinema for lasting change, the submission terms grant JAHA the right to use clips from selected films for non-commercial educational purposes within the Film School. This allows us to build a living curriculum directly from the work of TIN filmmakers, ensuring their art continues to educate and inspire long after the festival ends.

  • The Film school launched with five modules, we invite all participants to go through the five modules individually or with a study group. You can find the Trans Liberation Film School modules at jahafilmfestival.com/transliberationfilmschool