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Today, the global animation industry celebrates the online premiere of To Gaza with Love: A Global Anijam, an impactful initiative organized by AC4Pal (Animation Community for Palestine). This project features 329 short films from over 50 countries, created by animators, students, and studios as a collective show of support for the people of Gaza.

Founded by Oscar-nominated British animator Joanna Quin, Canadian animator and lecturer Thérèse Simard, and Assistant Professor of Animation Sam Decoste, AC4Pal aims to support the work of Haneen Koraz, an animator in Gaza who has been conducting animation workshops for displaced children and women in the region. Koraz has been using animation to help children express their experiences, and despite the escalating violence, she has continued her work in camps across Gaza, delivering 51 workshops that provide a vital creative outlet.

Koraz has also trained a team of women to continue this important work, reaching over 1,500 children and empowering more than 80 women and mothers. Her dedication has inspired animators worldwide to take action. The Anijam invited the global animation community to submit short films that convey love, hope, and solidarity for Gaza. These films have already reached millions online and, importantly, have been viewed by the people in Gaza for whom they were created.

Haneen Koraz expressed her thoughts on the initiative, stating, “For me, the ‘To Gaza with Love’ films are a powerful act of solidarity. They show that artists around the world care deeply about Gaza – about our children, our art, and our future. These films give us strength and remind us that we are not forgotten. The children feel this too. They told me, ‘These films are like gifts from the world to us. They make us feel seen, like people care, and that our love for art is shared by many others.’ Even in the midst of hardship, these stories spark hope. They remind us that through imagination and creativity, our voices can travel where we cannot.”

The project aims to demonstrate to Palestinians, especially those in Gaza, that they are not forgotten and to provide animators with a platform to express their support. It utilizes animation as a powerful means of political expression, raises funds for Haneen’s workshops, and fosters a global community of animators united in compassion and creativity. By highlighting Haneen’s work, the initiative challenges simplistic narratives and affirms the humanity, resilience, and artistry of Palestinians – portraying them not as statistics, but as individuals with stories, families, and futures.

SEEDS OF FREEDOM (Martyna Sabadasz, Cheltenham, UK) Joanna Quinn added, “Discovering the work of Haneen and her courageous team of talented women animators has been life-changing for me. In a world overwhelmed by hate, fear, and violence, their strength of spirit and selflessness offer a profound sense of hope – not only to the children they work with, but to the thousands who watch their films around the globe. Animation is a beautiful way to show solidarity with the people of Gaza – a universal language that speaks beyond borders, cultures, and languages. Our Global Anijam is a unified collection of over 300 powerful messages of love and support for Haneen, her talented young animators, and the wider community of suffering Palestinians in Gaza.”

Among the contributors are some of the animation industry’s most respected figures: Joanna Quinn (UK), whose contribution to the Anijam is a deeply personal piece reflecting her commitment to using animation for empathy and justice; Sam Fell (UK), Oscar-nominated director (Aardman, Laika), who created a heartfelt piece on empathy and connection; Raman Djafari (Germany), known for his work with Billie Eilish and Adult Swim, who contributed a visually stunning message of solidarity; Jin (Sonnye Lim) (USA), a rising talent whose emotionally resonant film has gained significant attention online; and Mohammed Hosam (Gaza), whose breathtaking animation, created entirely on his phone from a tent, has captivated audiences. Additionally, students from the Royal College of Art (UK) collaborated on a film that has garnered over 4 million views and heartfelt responses from Gaza.

As part of the Anijam launch, audiences can explore an interactive map designed by Bristol-based Australian animator Jane Abernethy. By clicking on playful watermelon icons, viewers can unlock and watch films from various locations around the world. Notably, four of the submitted films came directly from Gaza, serving as a rare and powerful testament to the resilience of artists working under challenging conditions.

The online premiere of To Gaza with Love: A Global Anijam will take place on Sunday, 21st September, starting at 12pm Gaza Time / 9am GMT via the official YouTube channel. On Saturday, 27th September, the Encounters Film Festival, Cardiff Animation Festival, and Bristol Palestine Film Festival will host a special fundraising event for Haneen Koraz at 12:30pm at Bristol’s Watershed. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit 2025.encounters.film.

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