Broken Lens Festival Spotlights Gaza's Struggles Through Film and Art
The Broken Lens film festival returns this month with a focus on the Gaza conflict. Running from January 23 to 24 at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Denton, Texas, the event will screen three documentaries made since the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. Alongside films, attendees can enjoy Palestinian art, music, and discussions—all free and open to the public.
The festival kicks off with Inside Gaza, a documentary following local reporters as they cover the war. The second film, Gaza: Doctors Under Attack, highlights the struggles of Palestinian medical professionals. After its screening, a panel of North Texas physicians who have volunteered in Gaza will share their experiences.
The third film has yet to be announced, but organisers confirm all three were produced after October 2023. The event also features Palestinian embroidery displays, dabke dancing, and live performances by artists Nisreen Hajaj and Mary Hazboun.
Rev. Craig Hunter, pastor at Trinity Presbyterian and a festival organiser, stressed the goal of raising awareness about human rights and dignity in Palestine. The festival began in 2012 with 5 Broken Cameras, a documentary about Palestinian resistance through filmmaking.
This year's Broken Lens festival centres on the dangers faced by journalists and doctors in Gaza. The two-day programme combines films, art, and expert discussions to shed light on the ongoing crisis. Free to attend, the event invites the public to engage with stories often overlooked in mainstream coverage.
