Waiting for Giraffes

Meet the enthusiastic veterinarian Dr. Sami and the staff and visitors of the Qalqilya Zoo, whose greatest desire is to have a giraffe at their zoo after the last one died during the first intifada. Qalqilya Zoo, the only zoo in Palestine, is surrounded by the Israeli wall, and is like everything else in the region affected by politics and conflict. After a visit to the Israeli Zoo in Jerusalem, Dr. Sami realizes that the conditions in his zoo are far from what they need to be in order to make it on to a national list that will enable trade of animals between zoo’s, which again will bring them one step closer to the dream of having a giraffe. The documentary, at times very funny, about Dr. Sami’s battle shows of how much is possible to achieve with huge commitment and a burning passion.

Marco de Stafanis works as a director and writer. He is known for the movie Tulip Time, winner of the “Jewish Eye” award at the World Jewish Film Festival in 2009. He has also made the short film Lieve Monster.