Palestine Comedy Club

by Charlotte Knowles in London, Greater London, United Kingdom

Total raised £5,315

£50,000 target 20 days left
10% 123 supporters
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 7th March 2025 at 3:02pm

Be first to watch 'Palestine Comedy Club' on the big screen, and help us complete post-production.

by Charlotte Knowles in London, Greater London, United Kingdom

‘Palestine Comedy Club’ follows six Palestinian stand-up comedians who write and tour a stand-up comedy show exploring the unlikely, often dark humour that surrounds the complexity of Palestinian identity. What starts as a blending of comic traditions to encourage honest and open reflections through the shared enjoyment of laughter becomes an existential imperative to share common humanity.

In Palestine, there are no comedy clubs, or even tradition of stand-up comedy. The country is also carved up by walls, fences and checkpoints that create divisions in culture and quality of life between towns. As such, developing a comedy show that can speak to these very different audiences is a herculean task and the comedians face many challenges in connecting with their fellow Palestinians across these divides.

Despite the cultural and security challenges of going on tour, the six Palestinian comedians Alaa, Hanna, Diana, Khalil, Ebaa, Raed and their British director, Sam manage to cross checkpoints and borders to perform in theatres across Palestine. Audiences flock to the shows and the tour gains momentum through increasing public demand. Word spreads internationally and they are invited to London for a series of gigs starting, tragically, on October 7th, 2023, just as war breaks out at home. The comedians prepare to perform in English to an increasingly conflicted British public. Suddenly, the mission to connect audiences with thoughtful humanity becomes an existential imperative.

Directed by Alaa Aliabdallah

Co-directed and Produced by Charlotte Knowles

By buying a ticket to a private screening in either London or Ramallah, you will help us complete the final stages of post-production: music, graphics and colour grade.

Palestine Comedy Club was profiled at Cannes Docs and Toronto International Film Festival work-in-progress strands in 2024. The film has been invited to multiple festivals in 2025. 

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Now we just need to raise £50,000 to pay the Palestinian artists working on the final post-production, and get it out to the world.

By supporting us, you'll have a chance to watch the film at a private screening and be one of the first to see Palestine Comedy Club on the big screen. 

Show off your support with our range of rewards including:

- tickets to a private screening of Palestine Comedy Club, 

- gorgeous illustrated t-shirts, tote bags, hoodies designed by Palestinian artist, Shahd Issa and the opportunity to get credited on the film.

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Or enter custom amount

Rewards

This project offers rewards in return for your donation. Please select a reward below.

£9 or more

50 of 50 claimed

Early Bird Tickets

The first 50 tickets are only £9! Join us for a private screening, either in London or Ramallah.

£10 or more

Thank You in the film credits

We will thank you by name in the film credits.

£15 or more

Virtual Private Screening

Be one of the first people to see Palestine Comedy Club. Can't get to London or Ramallah? No problem! You can still be one of the first people to have the Palestine Comedy Club experience by attending the private screening of Palestine Comedy Club virtually and engaging in a Q&A with the comedians. You'll also get a thank you in the film credits.

£20 or more

Illustrated Tote Bag

Our gorgeous Tote-bags are designed by Palestinian Graphic Artist Shahd Issa. If you pick up a bag, we will also thank you in the credits.

£25 or more

Palestine Comedy Club T-Shirt

Our beautiful t-shirts designed by artist and animator, Shahd Issa. Shahd designed the beautiful graphics sequences in the film and has designed these gorgeous t-shirts as a celebration of Palestinian art, culture and humour. We will also thank you in the credits.

£30 or more

33 of 500 claimed

Private Screening in London or Ramallah

Be one of the first people to experience Palestine Comedy Club on the big screen! Attend a private screening of Palestine Comedy Club and meet some of the comedians. You'll also get a thank you in the film credits.

£50 or more

Screening T-shirt Bundle

Get a ticket to the private screening of Palestine Comedy Club and a one-of-a-kind t-shirt, designed by graphic artist Shahd Issa. We will also thank you in the film credits.

£50 or more

Palestine Comedy Club Hoodie

One-of-a-kind illustrated hoodie designed by Palestinian graphic artist, Shahd Issa. You can choose the colours and size when the crowdfunder has ended.

£90 or more

Superfan Bundle

Oh, we see you, superfan! You're coming to the screening, you're getting the special illustrated t-shirt designed by Palestinian artist, Shahd Issa, and we are wrapping it up in a one-of-a-kind Palestine Comedy Club tote bag! We will also give you a BIG thank you in the credits! If we see you out in the wild, expect many hugs.

£500 or more

Dinner and a Screening

Now, it's getting serious. With this reward, we are welcoming you to the private screening and taking you out for dinner afterwards with the comedians. We'll also give you a goodie bag complete with tote bag and t-shirt to show off your support and we will give you a prominent position on the thank you page in the credits.

£1,000 or more

'Supported by' Credit

It's business time. With this reward you get a stand-alone 'supported by' credit on the film. We will also invite you to the private screening, take you for dinner and give you a t-shirt and tote bag to share your support with the world!

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