Award-Winning Gaza Documentary 'Naza' Secures Middle East Theatrical Release Following Venice Triumph

The acclaimed Gaza documentary Naza is scheduled for theatrical release across the Middle East, with regional distribution secured as part of an extensive international rollout. Directed by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, the film has achieved distribution in 56 territories following its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on September 10.

Alongside the Middle East, distribution has been finalized in the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, Canada, Brazil, and Turkey, though specific regional release dates and cinemas remain unannounced.

The international release commences when Naza opens in Italy for a three-day event across 500 screens. The US theatrical run begins on September 30 at the IFC Centre in New York, expanding to Los Angeles and other cities on October 9. The US rollout is spearheaded by The Guardian and French sales company MK2. Following its theatrical run, the documentary will stream globally for free on The Guardian's website. The film was produced by The Guardian alongside James Wilson of JW Films, with Oscar-winning British filmmaker Jonathan Glazer acting as executive producer.

The documentary explores Israeli military and intelligence operations during the conflict in Gaza and the resulting civilian casualties. Filmed at night on rooftops in Tel Aviv, it incorporates anonymous interviews with members of Israel's intelligence and military services. The directors state that the film investigates the systems behind civilian deaths in air strikes and the metrics used to determine acceptable casualties. The title originates from a military acronym used by Israeli intelligence to denote the expected number of civilian fatalities in an air strike. Abraham and Szor noted they undertook the project out of professional obligation as Israeli filmmakers and journalists.

Following a record-breaking 25-minute standing ovation at its Venice premiere, Naza won the Special Jury Prize. Abraham and Szor previously collaborated on No Other Land alongside Palestinian filmmakers Basel Adra and Hamdan Ballal, which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Conversely, the film has faced intense backlash in Israel, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior political figures have criticized the directors and called for their citizenship to be revoked. Right-wing protesters also gathered outside Szor's parents' home. In response, more than 1,500 Israeli filmmakers signed a petition supporting Abraham and Szor and defending freedom of expression, while 43 Israeli human rights organizations urged authorities to halt threats against the pair.

The filmmakers affirmed that the political pressure will not halt the film's global release. The documentary has also been offered to cinemas in Israel, and The Guardian is exploring alternative exhibition methods for the occupied Palestinian territories.