Project Synopsis

When footage emerged on social media of Friends Club, an equestrian sports club in Gaza City, flattened, its horses scared, starved and running wild amidst Israeli tanks, for many this was the moment they knew it would be a long and catastrophic war, unlike anything they had seen before. At the center of this story is Mostafa Elghalayini, a Palestinian equestrian coach who built Friends Club and fostered a community centered around a love of sports, horses, and a desire to create a safe childhood for kids in Gaza.

War ravaged Mostafa’s community after October 7, 2023, and he was forced to evacuate his home, leaving behind his beloved horses. He found a brief refuge training horses in northern California before the Trump administration’s Palestinian visa ban stranded him in limbo. He yearns to return to his homeland, find the horses that may still be alive and rebuild a space where children can heal and find peace again.

Artist Statement

This project has been a labor of love. We wanted to make this film, above all, because we believe that Mostafa Elghalayini’s unique story has the power to reach people and deeply resonate, no matter where they come from. Mostafa’s love and passion for Friends Club, its horses, and the community it brought together embodies values and themes we can find common ground on: the meaning of home, the importance of community, and the ability to hope even during times of extreme hardship. 

We are grateful to Mostafa for sharing his story, and for the incredibly creative, talented and generous people who contributed to the making of the film. The film has been invited to premiere in New York City in November 2026, and we are currently fundraising to get it across the finish line and out into the world through community screenings, wider distribution and meaningful engagement and impact. Thank you for your support.