Rashid Abdelhamid

is a multidisciplinary entrepreneur of mixed Palestinian-Serbian origins. He was born and raised in Algeria and received his education in Italy and France, going on to live and work in Gaza from 1997 to 2008.

After a career in architecture, in early 2013, he founded MADE IN PALESTINE PROJECT, an independent arts initiative to create and promote contemporary visual art with a focus on Palestine.

Abdelhamid currently resides in Amman, where he heads several projects for Made in Palestine Project, and travels frequently to Palestine to assist in projects that support films, music, art, culture, and development.

Rashid Abdelhamid is also the co-founder of the Palestine Film institute that aims to promote film art and film culture in Palestine.

Condom Lead

2013 production and acting in the short film CONDOM LEAD by Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Official Competition – Cannes Film Festival

Synopsis: A young family take shelter in their home on the Gaza Strip during a brutal attack. Intimacy and love are jettisoned as the imminent dangers of war take the forefront.

With Premeditation

2014 production and acting in the short film WITH PREMEDITATION by Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Official Competition – Carthage Film Festival

Synopsis: Through prayer, we recognize the power and goodness of God, our poverty and dependence on him, an act of virtue that involves the deepest respect for God, humility and dedication. But when prayer becomes just a daily habit practiced only to maintain a certain social status or power, it becomes a disaster. And this is practiced by some religious movements that claim, lie and steal in the name of God

Dégradé

2015 production of the feature film DÉGRADÉ by Tarzan and Arab Nasser
International Critics Week – Cannes Film Festival

Synopsis: The feature debut of twin brothers Arab and Tarzan Nasser, Dégradé takes place entirely in a women’s hair salon in Gaza. As a confrontation between the police and a local gangster plays-out beyond the salon’s walls, the women are trapped inside for thirteen hours. The film blends caricature and reality to emphasize the complexity of life in Gaza where people are afflicted by multiple nodes of pressure, and where the social space of women is increasingly circumscribed by these pressures.

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Gaza Mon Amour

2015 co-production of the feature film GAZA MON AMOUR by Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Orizzonti – La Biennale di Venezia

Synopsis: Gaza, today. Sixty-year-old fisherman Issa is secretly in love with Siham, a woman who works as a dressmaker at the market. Finally determined to propose, he discovers an ancient statue of Apollo in his fishing net, which he decides to hide at home. When Hamas discovers the existence of this mysterious treasure, troubles start for Issa… Will he succeed in declaring his love to Siham?

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I'll Go To Hell

2021 acting in the feature film I’LL GO TO HELL by Ismahan Lahmar
JCC Carthage Film Festival, Tunisia
Malmo Arab Film Festival, Sweden
Festival du Cinéma Africain de Khouribga (FCAK)

Synopsis: The film tells the story of Najet, whom the doctors say that she will die soon. Thus, she decides to take the rest of her life head-on, instead of giving in to self-pity. Najet begins to organize for her big departure, as she doesn’t like to be buried in a white shroud and end up eaten by worms. However, her family opposes her wishes.

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Palestine Film Institute

2019 establishment of the PALESTINE FILM INSTITUTE
The PFI was born from a shared desire among active film professionals who identify as Palestinians, to create an inclusive body with the mission to develop, promote and empower the community and industry of film in Palestine and for Palestinians worldwide and preserve its cinema.

Palestinian Film Platform

2019 establishment of the PALESTINIAN FILM PLATFORM.
The PFP is an initiative launched by Palestine Film Institute in collaboration with filmmakers from Palestine and Palestinian cultural institutions.
The Platform streams a Palestinian Feature Film every week for free. This platform is available for any Palestinian filmmaker who wants to share her/his recent work.

Palestine Pavilion at Cannes Film Festival

2018 establishment of the first-ever official pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival, sponsored by the Palestinian Ministry of Culture.

Electrordon

2020-date Producing of ELECTRORDON, a music project, in collaboration with MA3MAL 612 THINK FACTORY.

During a collective workshop and recording session, a team of carefully selected Jordanian contemporary young musicians will be asked to work on the production of original tracks, using a database of rural and Bedouin Jordanian music as a starting point.

All the produced tracks, along with the original video clips will be assembled in a unique album to be distributed all over the world.

ARTISTS
– Artistic Director: Mohammad Idreesi
– Residency participants: Idreesi, Zai, Shbash, Nic Dagher, Zaid Kreshan, Big Murk, The Archiducer
– Special guests: Alnashea, Al Far3i, Emsallam, Al Wessam, Zaid Khaled, Joanna Arida

Theft Of Fire

2018-date production of the Hybrid Documentary THEFT OF FIRE by Amer Shomali

Synopsis: In the early 1980’s, a lonely Palestinian museum curator hatches a daring plot to break into a secret Israeli prison and steal back a trove of looted antiquities from legendary general Moshe Dayan. A hybrid documentary that explores how history has been used as a weapon to erase Palestinian history.

Once Upon A Time In Gaza

2021-date co-production of the feature film ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA by Tarzan and Arab Nasser

Synopsis: ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA is Tarzan and Arab Nasser’s third feature film.

This time, the idea is to make an ambitious and surprising art house Western made in Gaza, where trafic is about painkillers rather than cannabis, where a young university student can become a drug dealer and an actor in a biopic about a martyr.

Where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs writtes propaganda films while all the cinema theaters have been voluntary shut down, and where one can at the same time die from an accidental bullet on a film set and become a national hero shot down by Israel…

Son Of The Streets

2021-date co-production of the Documentary SON OF THE STREETS by Mohammed Almughanni

Synopsis: A child whose family tries to issue him an ID document that proves his existence and gives him the right to education, healthcare and movement outside of the Palestinian refugee camp of Shatila in Beirut, Lebanon. Through the process, many of the family’s old secrets are revealed.

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Gps: A Visa For Sweden

2020-date production of the mini-series GPS: A VISA FOR SWEDEN by Salah Hannoun and Rashid Abdelhamid in collaboration with SF Studios (Stockholm).

Synopsis: Inspired by a true story: the real-life tale of a Palestinian refugee, currently living in Sweden, that brought his brother, who didn’t know a single word of any language, save Arabic, from Syria to Sweden with the help of his smartphone GPS alone.

GPS: A VISA FOR SWEDEN is conceived as a dark comedy series (10x10min), co-written by a Swedish and an Arab writer.

WATCH THE TRAILER

Electrosteen

2018 Producing of ELECTROSTEEN a music project, that aims to bring Palestinian traditional music, in its widest sense, into the contemporary international art/musical scene.

An audio material library, collected from existing archives of oral musical traditions of different ethnic and religious communities of historic Palestine was an important data base to produce new music.

ELECTROSTEEN is a collective album that features Muqataa, Mehdi Haddab, Walaa Sbait, Bruno Cruz, Sarouna M, Julmud, Al Nather, Shab Jdeed, Nasser Halahlih, SAMA, Basel Naouri.

MIPP Remix

2022 Launching of Made in Palestine project REMIX Youtube channel were a new remixed track is dropped every Friday according to Thursday night’s mood!

YOUTUBE CHANNEL LINK

Designs

With over twenty five years of design experience and an education that includes a Masters in Architecture from the University of Grenoble, France and a Bachelors of Architecture from the University of Florence, Italy, Rashid’s designs have received global attention and acclaim. His noteworthy achievements include the design and development of Gaza’s first boutique hotel Al-Deira, which has established itself as one of the leading hotels frequented by who-is-who and receiving international media attention. The achievements also include the establishment of the Arts and Crafts village in Gaza, the design of some of the interiors of the renowned American Colony Hotel in Jerusalem. In addition, Rashid founded a furniture design company called ‘’Marna Design’’ which has received great attention and praise in a number of international exhibitions in France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Dubai. Rashid currently resides between Amman and Ramallah and works as a consultant for several projects with UNDP, UNESCO and UNIDO.

Marna Design

2009-2012 Creation of MARNA DESIGN in Amman – Jordan.
MARNA DESIGN is a creative furniture and decor company based in Amman, Jordan that caters to individuals who are seeking distinct design solutions. Composed of a highly professional team, MARNA DESIGN’s mission is to be a leading creative furniture design and decor company in Jordan and in the region.

MARNA DESIGN

Souq Collection

2017/2018 Creation and promotion of the SOUQ COLLECTION, a new collection of furniture and accessories that combines modern design and artistic photography. The colors, smells and atmosphere of the old city souk of Nablus is the main inspiration.

A unique photo transfer process is used, where original photographs are directly printed onto wood for a stunningly surreal effect.

The SOUQ COLLECTION was presented in Palestine (Gallery One) in April 2018.

CATALOGUE

Architectures

With over twenty five years of design experience and an education that includes a Masters in Architecture from the University of Grenoble, France and a Bachelors of Architecture from the University of Florence, Italy, Rashid’s designs have received global attention and acclaim. His noteworthy achievements include the design and development of Gaza’s first boutique hotel Al-Deira, which has established itself as one of the leading hotels frequented by who-is-who and receiving international media attention. The achievements also include the establishment of the Arts and Crafts village in Gaza, the design of some of the interiors of the renowned American Colony Hotel in Jerusalem. In addition, Rashid co-founded a furniture design company called ‘’Marna Design’’ which has received great attention and praise in a number of international exhibitions in France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Dubai. Rashid currently resides betweenAmman and Ramallah and works as a consultant for several projects with the United Nations.

PORTFOLIO

the Arts and Crafts Village

2000 design and building of the ARTS AND CRAFTS VILLAGE in Gaza – Palestine.

The ARTS AND CRAFTS VILLAGE is a Center that helps to maintain and preserve Palestinian heritage by supporting artists and their art through various cultural projects and exhibitions. To further preserve Palestinian Heritage, the Cultural Center itself was built by a Palestinian architect, who used traditional architectural elements and materials.

Al Deira Hotel

In 2000 design and building of AL DEIRA HOTEL in Gaza – Palestine.

AL DEIRA is an architectural and artistic gem located on the sands of the Gaza coast. Built in sun dried mud bricks, in a traditional style featuring graceful arches, vaulted and domed ceilings, hand crafted furniture and open interior spaces, the AL DEIRA bring to mind an contemporary palace overlooking blue Mediterranean waters.

SITE
PRESS

Reviving earth architecture in the Jordan Valley - Palestine

2011-2012 technical assistance, design and construction supervision of 5 public buildings in the Jordan Valley-Palestine .

In 2011, the UNESCO Office in Palestine has initiated a pilot project to revive the knowledge and practice of traditional mud brick architecture in selected marginalized communities in the Jordan Valley with the aim of improving the physical living conditions and housing standards in the area.

FACEBOOK

Mipp Keffiyeh Scarves

2015/date Creation and promotion of MADE IN PALESTINE PROJECT KEFFIEH SCARVES.

Rashid Abdelhamid draws inspiration from the traditional Palestinian keffieh but adds his own innovative touch by using modern fabrics and bold motifs. His MIPP scarves are comprised of an array of materials that are selected with care. Each scarf is unique and can be worn in a variety of ways.

7ob Collection

2020/date Creation of an original collection of garments and accessories that combines modern designs and Arabic artistic typography.

Original unique designs and patterns around the Arabic word 7ob (love) was created by the Palestinian artist Yehia Moldan and printed onto the fabric to compose every piece of the collection.

The 7OB COLLECTION is composed of garment pieces (sweatshirts, hoodies, T shirts pants, shorts,…) and accessories (bucket hats, fanny pack,…) and uses innovative ideas to create unique products that have a strong visual impact and a one-of-a-kind look.

MIPP – 7OB COLLECTION

Thob 2020

2020 Development of a virtual workshop, in collaboration with UNIDO, focused on the fashion industry aiming at creating new products and upgrading existing ones .

This workshop was animated by Christophe Beaufays (Associate Art Director and Senior Designer for the Jeddah based Thobe house Lomar, former Jean Paul Gaultier senior designer), and Rashid Abdelhamid (Architect / Designer and UNIDO Palestine consultant), and selected a group of Palestinian fashion designers to challenge them modernize and reinvent the THOBE (the traditional Palestinian dress).

THOBE 2020 VIRTUAL CATWALK