In Gaza, a small group of puppeteers continues to create art among the ruins, keeping alive the hope and memory of their people. Today, these artists and their families urgently need our support to survive.
The cost of living in Gaza has become unbearable: feeding a family of five now costs around USD 50 per day; a week’s supply of firewood, USD 70; a single item of clothing, USD 50; a tent for shelter for five persons can reach USD 1,500 more USD 500 land rent per month. Moreover, due to the difficult transfer channels, only about 40 % of the funds raised effectively reach their destination, making every donation all the more precious.
UNIMA International is currently launching a solidarity campaign to support through crowdfunding launched by the families themselves or by trusted members of UNIMA International: (the veracity of these crowdfunding has been verified by our organization). Every contribution — even the smallest — is vital to meet their basic needs and to keep hope alive:
At a time when international artistic solidarity is more needed than ever, every action, every collaboration, and every donation matters.
Reports
Meeting Report – UNIMA Artists of Hope: Supporting
Gaza’s Puppeteers
Date: November 7, 2025
3 Films about Mahdi Karira, a Puppeteer in Gaza
In the context of a major international solidarity movement in support of puppeteers in Gaza, UNIMA International, in conjunction with THEMAA, is organizing a series of support activities: contributing to the drafting of applications for rescue and evacuation programs, relaying fundraising campaigns, providing online training, etc.
Among these activities, one focuses specifically on puppeteer Mahdi Karira. To support Mahdi, we are fortunate to be able to draw upon three recent films (2024-2025) made about his work. We have compiled them, and their directors and producers have agreed to grant the rights to organize screenings to raise funds for him. We invite you to join UNIMA International’s support campaign by organizing one of these screenings.
The three films are as follows (detailed presentation below):
1- “We truly deserve life!” (Truly, we deserve to live!) – a recording of a sand theater performance directed by Catherine Gignac, based on Mahdi’s testimony during the Float2Gaza event held at Floatting Castle (Slovenia) in the summer of 2025.
Duration: 9’30”
2- The documentary Everything That Is, directed by Shourideh C. Molavi (2025), which follows Mahdi as he creates his puppets amidst the rubble of Gaza and features previously unpublished poems by the Palestinian poet Jawad al-Aqqad.
Duration: 20 min.
3- The short film “The Awakening,” directed by Mahdi Karera with his puppets for the From Ground Zero project (2024), of which it is the 22nd and final chapter.
Duration: 4’57”
Dear National Centres,
Please find attached the dossier about the documentaries on Mahdi Karira, which is part of the campaign in support of Gaza puppeteers and their families promoted by UNIMA International in collaboration with THEMAA (UNIMA France).
On behalf of our President Louise Lapointe, the General Secretary, Fabrizio Montecchi and the entire Executive Committee, we ask you to do everything in your power to translate this initiative, as well as others of the same nature that will certainly follow in the coming months, into concrete actions in your countries.
Although we continue to look to the future with hope, this does not prevent us from seeing the many clouds that obscure it and the many difficulties faced by countless puppeteers around the world. Cooperative and supportive internationalism has been part of our association’s DNA since its foundation. It is not an optional extra but, to all intents and purposes, an integral part of our mission as members of the large global UNIMA community.
With this shared spirit, let us continue to be the voice of puppeteers around the world.
Louise Lapointe
UNIMA President
Fabrizio Montecchi
UNIMA General Secretary
Download: How to Join the Screenings: 3 Films about Mahdi Karira
– Let us help these puppeteers and their loved ones continue to live, create, and hope.
With gratitude and hope,
UNIMA International