RAMALLAH, March 2, 2025 (WAFA) – Qamat for Documenting the Palestinian Struggle announced on Sunday that the documentary film “Delayed Retrieval”—directed by Abdallah Mutan, a Palestinian prisoner in Israeli detention, with assistant director Rahma Dar Saleh—won the Best Short Film Award at the Terra di Tutti Film Festival in Sardinia, Italy.
The film secured the award after fierce competition with several documentary and narrative films from various countries.
Qamat explained that “Delayed Retrieval,” produced in partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Culture, highlights the humanitarian suffering of Palestinian mothers whose sons’ bodies remain detained in Israeli occupation morgues under inhumane conditions that violate international law.
The film narrates the agony of these mothers, who endure relentless pain, grief, anticipation, and psychological torment as they await the release of their children’s remains held under unlawful conditions.
In this context, Anas Osta, the chairman of the board of directors of Qamat for Documenting the Palestinian Struggle, emphasized the film’s profound significance—not only for its subject matter, which poignantly captures the suffering of Palestinian prisoners, but also due to the compelling story of its director, Abdullah Mutan. Still imprisoned in Israeli detention, Mutan played a pivotal role in founding Qamat and has directed the majority of its productions.
The jury praised the film, highlighting its powerful and compelling portrayal of Palestinian families who are left with no option but to mourn their loved ones and long for a final farewell.
