PictureEast Film Festival 2026 showcases powerful films, local voices and creative talent across East London.
Welcome to our closing night gala and exclusive preview screening of -
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FEATURE FILM - Palestine Comedy Club
Palestinian comedians forge a path through laughter, using stand-up to express their resilience and spirit amid rising conflict. Their jokes become powerful statements of dignity and existence in the face of devastating circumstances.
Dir: Alaa AliAbdallah
Cert: 18
Dur: 1h 33m
Live Comedy:
Shazia Mirza - Recently seen on 'Celebrity Apprentice' and Eastenders, appearances include The Jonathan Ross Show, Would I lie to You?, QI, Meet The Richardsons, Celebrity MasterMind, Loose Women, The Late Late Show, Top Gear, Graham Norton Show, The Apprentice You're Fired, and was the star of Celebrity The Island- Bear Grylls, Celebrity MasterChef' and will soon be appearing on the Christmas Special of Celebrity MasterChef, the new series of 'Sorry I Didn't Know' and Cellebrity SAS Who Dares Wins, Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, and two new films Touche and Ruby.
She was recently nominated as one of The 50 funniest comedians of the 21st Century in The Telegraph.
Her latest show 'Coconut' was nominated for a Channel 4 National Comedy Award, her previous show 'The Kardashians Made Me Do It' was been a sell out success all over the UK, US, Sweden, Ireland, and Paris, and completed 3 sell out runs at London's Soho Theatre, the tour was extended for 6 months. She has toured all over the world and appeared on Comedy Central, Last Comic Standing, The Craig Ferguson Show, been profiled on CBS 60mins.
Aatif Nawaz - Aatif Nawaz is an award-winning stand-up comedian and sports broadcaster. Over the past two decades, Aatif has performed national comedy tours across the UK. He's featured in various TV programmes including writing and starring in BBC's critically acclaimed Muzlamic. For the past 7 years, Aatif has also been working as a sports broadcaster and journalist for the BBC's iconic Test Match Special programme, the world's oldest cricket commentary service. He has worked on numerous men's and women's world cups as well as covering English domestic and international cricket. He also serves as an ambassador for Amnesty International fronting various campaigns.
Selam Amare - Selam Amare is a cultural producer, comedian, and champion of migrant stories in London. As part of Counterpoints Arts, she produces the groundbreaking No Direction Home comedy series, giving new voices a chance to shine—and proving that comedy can cross borders without needing a passport. One of Selam’s projects is Azmari Bet, a vibrant platform celebrating Ethiopian music, food, and performance. From stand-up to standing up for her roots, Selam’s comedy is as rich and layered as an Ethiopian coffee ceremony—bold, warm, and guaranteed to keep you coming back for more.
She was awarded the winning spot at TimeOut x Nando’s Extra Hot Comedy Club Competition 2025 with Munya Chawawa, and placed as a finalist in the Newcomer LoungesTV 2025 with Omid Djalili. Lemn Sissay OBE describes her act as the “best crossover night of Habesha (Ethiopian/ Eritrean) contemporary culture in the UK.”
Followed by a post-screening panel discussion with Shazia, Aatif and the following speakers:
Samer Jaber - Samer Jaber is a Palestinian residing in the UK. He was a child detainee in Palestine, so experienced the harsh reality of growing up Palestinian for just wanting a normal life. He grew up to become an educator and is a new and highly respected member of Newham PSC's committee. He has been an activist for many years, speaking up for the human rights of his people and the “desire for a homeland free from terror, apartheid and occupation.”
Professor Shohini Chaudhuri - Shohini Chaudhuri is a Professor in the Department of Literature, Film and Theatre Studies at the University of Essex, specialising in world cinema and human rights. Her most recent book is Crisis Cinema in the Middle East: Creativity and Constraint in Iran and the Arab World (2022). A film activist as well as an educator, she has also organised public film screenings and talks for The Mosaic Rooms and Amnesty International.
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Join us for PictureEast Film Festival 2026 (PEFF26)
A dynamic celebration of film, culture and community in East London! Curated by local creative voices and presented by The New Black Film Collective (TNBFC) in partnership with Film London, this festival champions bold cinematic storytelling and community engagement across Newham and Barking & Dagenham.
Admission is on a first come, first served basis.
Programme supported by Film Hub London, managed by Film London. Proud to be a partner of the BFI Film Audience Network, funded by the National Lottery. www.filmlondon.org.uk/film-hub-london