The inaugural PFFA edition, themed Contemporary Palestinian Cinema, exemplifies the grassroots origins of the festival. Held on one day at two venues walking distance from each other, the festival was executed within two months and with a handful of volunteers.
This self-financed edition featured films that were released between 2012–2015, primarily by female directors but not exclusively. Annemarie Jacir, Khaled Jarrar, Suha Arraf and Mais Darwazah were amongst the participating directors. The film Oversized Coat (2015), directed by Nawras Abu Saleh, had its international premiere at the festival with invited guest actor Sami Metwasi from Bethlehem, the West Bank.
