Cartoon screening brings smiles to Gaza’s children

With eyes fixed on a brightly-lit big screen, children gathered among tents in Gaza City on Wednesday (September 2) to watch cartoons, as part of a mobile cinema initiative.

The "Little Wings" cinema initiative, run by the Masharawi Fund for Films and Filmmakers in Gaza in cooperation with international and national institutions, brings film screenings to shelters and camps to provide entertainment and cultural activities for displaced children.

Project coordinator Asma Dababesh said the project aims to give children a temporary escape from the fear, destruction and insecurity they are experiencing during the war.

The screenings - part of a three-hour programme including games, music and other activities - face challenges including transportation difficulties, limited electricity and safety concerns, the organisers said in a statement.

Children and families watched the cartoon film from among tents and nearby balconies, with one attendee saying the screening had brought hope and smiles back to children who had spent years without access to cinema.

Camera: Dawoud Abu Alkas, Editing: Bassam Masoud, Production: Mohammed Salem and Mariam Rizk/Reuters