Boston Film Festival to Honor Late Palestinian Journalist with Poignant Documentary Screening

On October 21, 2025, the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts, will host a screening of "Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk," a documentary directed by Iranian filmmaker Sepideh Farsi. The film offers an intimate portrayal of life in Gaza through the lens of 25-year-old Palestinian photojournalist Fatma Hassona, whose life was tragically cut short in an Israeli airstrike earlier this year.

The documentary chronicles a year-long series of video calls between Farsi and Hassona, beginning in April 2024. Through these conversations, Hassona provides a firsthand account of the daily realities faced by Gazans under siege, sharing her experiences with unwavering optimism and resilience. The film juxtaposes Farsi's exile in Cairo with Hassona's life in Gaza, highlighting the stark contrasts and shared humanity between their worlds.

Fatma Hassona, born and raised in Gaza, was a dedicated photojournalist and poet. She began documenting the impact of the conflict following the escalation of violence after Hamas's attacks on October 7, 2023. Her work captured both the devastation and fleeting moments of hope in Gaza, providing a unique perspective amid Israel's blockade on foreign press access. In addition to her journalism, Hassona organized workshops for children and was recently engaged to Moutaz, a computer scientist.

On April 16, 2025, just one day after the film was announced as a selection for the ACID section at the Cannes Film Festival, Hassona and ten members of her family were killed in an Israeli airstrike on their home in the Al-Touffah neighborhood of northern Gaza. The Israeli army claimed the strike targeted a Hamas member but insisted precautions were taken to avoid civilian casualties.

The documentary serves as both a testament to Hassona's life and a poignant memorial to her enduring spirit. It was selected for the ACID section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where emotions ran high during its screening. The film juxtaposes Farsi’s exile in Cairo with Hassona's resilience and humor despite hunger, grief, and devastation.

The upcoming screening at the Boston Palestine Film Festival offers audiences an opportunity to witness Hassona's powerful narrative and gain insight into the human impact of the conflict in Gaza. The film is scheduled to screen at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge, MA, on October 21, 2025.

Hassona's death underscores the tragic toll on media professionals, with her name added to the list of around 200 journalists killed in Gaza since the beginning of the conflict. The documentary evokes a powerful juxtaposition between Farsi’s peaceful life abroad and the harsh reality in Gaza, where even communication is fragile. Photographs by Hassona are on display at the Majestic Hotel and Palestinian pavilion during the festival, ensuring her story—of resilience and humanity—echoes on.

"Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk" stands as a powerful memorial to Fatma Hassona, highlighting the critical contributions and risks faced by local journalists in conflict zones. The film serves as a reminder of the human cost of conflict and the enduring power of storytelling to foster empathy and understanding.