Award-winning Gaza documentary NAZA is set for theatrical rollout across more than 50 countries followed by a free digital release on The Guardian website. The film reveals systems behind Palestinian civilian casualties, prompting intense international acclaim alongside severe political threats in Israel.
The documentary NAZA, directed by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, is preparing for an expansive global rollout. Following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival earlier this month, where it secured a record 25-minute standing ovation and won the special jury prize, the film has charted a distribution strategy that bypasses traditional studio buyers in favor of an independent, multi-territory framework.
Global Theatrical Rollout and Innovative Distribution Strategy
The film’s international journey continues following screenings in Bologna and at the San Sebastián Film Festival. Its North American premiere takes place on Saturday at the New York Film Festival, leading directly to a four-day opening run at the IFC Center in New York City starting September 30. On October 9, the release expands to Los Angeles and other key U.S. cities before a broader national rollout.
French sales company MK2 Films has secured theatrical distribution across 56 territories. Confirmed international markets include the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, Hong Kong, Brazil, Turkey, Thailand, Spain, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Greece, Portugal, Poland, Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria, Indonesia, Central America, and the Middle East. In Italy, the film will run as a three-day event on 500 screens via I Wonder Distribution from September 28 to 30.
After completing its theatrical run, NAZA will stream for free on The Guardian website. Producers are also offering the documentary to cinemas and distributors in Israel while exploring pathways to screen the project within the occupied Palestinian territories.
Investigative Foundations and Tel Aviv Rooftop Interviews
The project builds on investigative reporting published between 2023 and 2025 by The Guardian, the Israeli-Palestinian publication +972 Magazine, and the Hebrew-language outlet Local Call. Shot at night on rooftops in Tel Aviv, NAZA features anonymous interviews with 24 members of Israeli intelligence and military personnel.
“NAZA is grounded in rigorous journalism published over the past three years,” said Harry Davies, a Guardian investigations correspondent and one of NAZA’s producers. “But it is also a powerful piece of cinema that will soon be available on screens, large and small, around the world.”
Harry Davies, Guardian investigations correspondent and one of NAZA’s producers
The film investigates the mechanisms driving the mass killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Its title references a military acronym utilized by Israeli intelligence to denote projected civilian casualties resulting from an airstrike. Directors Abraham and Szor previously won the best documentary Oscar in 2024 for No Other Land, working alongside Palestinian co-directors Basel Adra and Hamdan Ballal. Jonathan Glazer served as executive producer on NAZA, with production support from James Wilson of JW Films.
Political Fallout and Government Intimidation Campaign
While the documentary received unanimously positive reviews at its Venice premiere, it has generated intense political hostility in Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside senior military and far-right political figures, publicly demanded that the directors’ citizenship be revoked and accused them of treason against the state
during statements last week. Netanyahu announced plans to pursue new legislation allowing authorities to strip citizenship from individuals who smear
soldiers and defame
the state.
Right-wing activists subsequently gathered outside the home of Szor’s parents under heavy police and border police deployment. Protesters chanted demands for the death penalty for traitors
and called for the demolition of the filmmakers’ family homes.
“The threats from the Israeli government to revoke our citizenship and the death threats do not change that and will not stop the film. We thank our colleagues for the solidarity and look forward to sharing NAZA all over the world very soon.”
Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, directors
The artistic and journalistic community has rallied around the directors. A joint statement signed by 43 local human rights organizations urged Israeli authorities to halt incitement and threats against the filmmakers and their sources. More than 1,500 Israeli filmmakers signed a petition defending freedom of expression. International directors—including Ken Loach, Joshua Oppenheimer, Paul Laverty, Laura Poitras, Nan Goldin, Richard Eyre, and Hanif Kureishi—also expressed solidarity, with Oppenheimer characterizing the government’s response as a full-scale intimidation campaign against film directors
.
