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Distribution

Catalogue

What Walaa Wants

Christy Garland
2018 | 1 h 29 min

Trailer


Raised in a refugee camp in the West Bank while her mother was in prison, Walaa dreams of becoming a policewoman in the Palestinian Security Forces (PSF). Despite discouragement from her family, even her beloved brother Mohammed, Walaa applies and gets in.  But her own rebellious behaviour and complicated relationship with her mother are challenging, as are the circumstances under which she lives.

Following Walaa from 15-21, with an intimate POV, What Walaa Wants is the compelling story of a defiant young girl navigating formidable obstacles, learning which rules to break and follow, and disproving the negative predictions from her surroundings and the world at large.

Awards and distinctions

  • Hilal Best Feature Award
    Ajyal Youth Film Festival, Doha
    2018
  • Best Feature Documentary
    Forest City Film Festival, London
    2018
  • Margaret Mead Filmmaker Award
    Margaret Mead Film and Video Festival, New York
    2018
  • Artistic Merit Award for documentary
    International Film Festival, Vancouver
    2018
  • DGC Special Jury Prize – Canadian Feature Documentary Award
    Hot Docs, Toronto
    2018