"Support Our Dream: Help Bring 'Uncle, Give Me a Cigarette' to Life!"

Introduction: "Welcome to the official page for 'Uncle, Give Me a Cigarette,' a poignant short film inspired by the life and legacy of Palestinian writer Walid Daqqa. Through the lens of his experiences and the harsh realities faced by Palestinian prisoners, we explore themes of light, hope, and the human condition within the confines of imprisonment. We are a passionate team of filmmakers dedicated to bringing this powerful story to life, but we need your support to make it happen."

Call to Action: "Watch our sneak peek below and consider making a donation to help us complete this project. Every contribution brings us one step closer to sharing our vision with the world."

About the film

Synopsis: "'Uncle, Give Me a Cigarette' is a poignant short film inspired by the life of Palestinian writer Walid Daqqa. Through the fictionalized account of one prisoner's encounter with a young boy, we delve into the struggles of imprisonment and the quest for hope amidst darkness. The film uses the metaphor of light, inspired by Daqqa's writings, to explore the resilience and humanity found even in the most oppressive circumstances."

Director's Statement:
"As the director of 'Uncle, Give Me a Cigarette,' I am deeply committed to telling this story with authenticity and compassion. Inspired by the life and writings of Walid Daqqa, this film serves as a tribute to his enduring spirit and the countless Palestinians unjustly detained by the Israeli occupation. Through our exploration of light as a symbol of hope and humanity, we aim to shine a spotlight on the struggles faced by prisoners and spark important conversations about justice and empathy."

Behind the scenes

"Go behind the scenes of 'Uncle, Give Me a Cigarette' and see the magic of filmmaking in action. From the initial script readings to the final edits, our behind-the-scenes content gives you an exclusive look at the dedication and creativity that goes into every frame."


Based on a Short Story by:
• Walid Daqqa
Directed by:
• Jamen Abu-Khatir
Translations by:
• Layal
Subtitles by:
• Nikolas Lange
Sound Mix by:
• Benjamin Schimpke
Colorgrading by:
• Arash
Location Scouts:
• Christina Stark
• Mariana de la Roche
• Karl Eisenträger
Technical Support by:
• Josua Wilbert
Licenses and Website by:
• Kat McGlone & Mark Krings

Cast and crew

Main Cast:
• Moath Al-Azzeh as Walid Daqqa
• Mohammed Barbakh as The Little Boy
• Nawras Alwali as Walid's Friend
• Safwan Al Younes as The Guard
• Abdallah Abu Shabab as Prisoner
• Abdulghani Bitar as Prisoner

Actors Support:
• Mariam El-Numairi
• Sultane Özkan
• "Mudi" Mohammad Al-Maqdsi
Text by:
• Jamen Abu-Khatir & Jara Nasser
Music by:
• Ahmed Eid - "Ba‘yeen huna"
Animation by:
• Christine Ambrus
Camera & Edit by:
• Jamen Abu-Khatir
Set Assistants:
• Mirumi & Sandra Bauer
Catering by:
• Lally
Costume by:
• Sid Talukdar

Jamen Abu-Khhatir