Search

06 Sept 2025

Derry premiere for 'Freedom To Run' film

'Freedom To Run' shows the reality of life under occupation in Palestine through the lens of marathon running

'Freedom To Run' shows the reality of life under occupation in Palestine through the lens of marathon running.

'Freedom To Run' shows the reality of life under occupation in Palestine through the lens of marathon running.

Reporter:

Staff Reporter

15 Feb 2024 12:00 PM

Email:

news@derrynow.com

The Irish  premiere of Scottish documentary 'Freedom To Run' is to take place in Derry.
'Freedom To Run' shows the reality of life under occupation in Palestine through the lens of marathon running.
The film will be screened in St Columb's Hall, Derry, on Friday, March 1, at 7.00pm and will be followed by a Q and A with the film makers.
Palestinians in the West Bank cannot move more than 10 kilometres without being stopped by Israeli restrictions.
Checkpoints, demands for permits, and the apartheid wall surrounding the occupied territories, are part of the struggle of daily life.
Freedom to Run is a feature-length documentary that follows the Palestinian running group ‘Right to Movement’ and a group from Glasgow as they train for and run, both the Palestine and Edinburgh marathons.
Whilst in Palestine, the Scottish runners learn about the impact of the restrictions on everyday life, and that something as universal as running is far from an easy task. The runners discover that they are not so different, but that they live very different lives.
The film was made by Glaswegian film makers Dr Cairsti Russell and Stephen Sheriff.
It was inspired by Russell's PhD research at the University of Glasgow into media perceptions of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Russell, a member of the University of Glasgow media group who also features as a runner in the documentary, felt compelled to make the film after being confronted with the reality of life under occupation in Palestine when she first visited in 2012.
Cairsti Russell said: "My research shows that many people do not understand the reality of life in Palestine and find it difficult to relate to.
"However, since my first trip in 2012, I've been a firm believer that if people visit Palestine and see the reality for themselves, they can't help but be moved by the situation there. This is evidenced in the film by the critical journeys of the Scottish runners when they are in Palestine.
"I hope the film inspires viewers to challenge stereotypes surrounding ordinary people in Palestine. I think the success of the screenings so far demonstrates people's willingness and appetite to learn about the wider context surrounding Israel and Palestine, especially since October 7th 2023."
Filmed in Scotland and Palestine in 2018 and 2019, 'Freedom to Run' was completed in 2023 and premiered in Glasgow in October.
It has had sell out screenings across Britain and has so far raised over £7200 for Medical Aid for Palestinians. 
Stephen Sheriff said: ""It's been fascinating hearing from audience members over the last few months - people are shocked at the degree to which Israel restricts the day-to-day lives of Palestinians in the West Bank.
"From the daily commute to the choice of partner, there is no aspect of life where Palestinians do not have to work around Israeli restrictions.
"Using Marathon Running to tell this story has allowed us to reach audiences who might not otherwise be engaged in discussing these issues and communities have formed around screenings, with grassroots groups coming together to stage events."
Tickets for the Derry screening of 'Freedom To Run' are pay what you can. All proceeds will go to Medical Aid for Palestinians and can be booked HERE. 
 

To continue reading this article,
please subscribe and support local journalism!

Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles.

Subscribe

To continue reading this article for FREE,
please kindly register and/or log in.

Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites. You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news!

Register / Login

Most Popular

Sponsored Content

Multimedia

We've got Donegal Covered...

Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie

Buy a paper

Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.

Buy Now
Get the news

Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.

Register Now
Iconic Media is Ireland's largest independently owned regional newspaper and media group, with an unrivalled audience in print, online and mobile. We have 19 regional newspapers and 21 digital sites.

Iconic Digital Titles

  • Carlow Live
  • Clare Live
  • Derry Now
  • Donegal Live
  • Éire Bheo
  • Inish Live
  • Ireland Live
  • Kildare Live
  • Kildare Now
  • Kilkenny Live
  • Laois Live
  • Leitrim Live
  • Letterkenny Live
  • Limerick Live
  • Longford Live
  • Louth Live
  • Mayo Live
  • Nenagh Live
  • Offaly Live
  • Tipperary Live
  • Waterford Live

    • Iconic Print Titles

  • Clonmel Nationalist
  • County Derry Post
  • Derry News
  • Donegal Democrat
  • Donegal Post
  • Dundalk Democrat
  • Homes in Donegal
  • Inish Times
  • Kilkenny People
  • Leinster Express
  • Leinster Leader
  • Leitrim Observer
  • Letterkenny Live
  • Limerick Leader
  • Longford Leader
  • Mayo News
  • Midland Tribune
  • Tipperary Star
  • Tullamore Tribune

    • This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.

    © 2025 Iconic Media