Following a triumphant premiere at the Venice Film Festival, the Gaza war documentary «NAZA» will arrive in US cinemas on September 30 as part of an expansive global distribution strategy.
Directed by Israeli Oscar-winning filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, the Guardian-produced feature secured the Special Jury Prize in Venice earlier this month, where it received a reported 25-minute standing ovation. The stripped-back documentary draws on testimonies from 24 Israeli intelligence officers and soldiers who describe how security forces selected targets.
The US theatrical rollout begins with an exclusive launch at New York City’s IFC Center. The release will then expand to Los Angeles and other major markets on October 9 before a wider national debut. The project’s North American festival premiere is slated for September 26 at the New York Film Festival.
Yuval Abraham said at the premiere, «I don’t want to live in a world where rightful empathy of Israeli victims is weaponized to mean a lack of empathy to Palestinians and used by Bibi to justify the occupation and crimes in Gaza. … I don’t think we want to live in such a world. I think we should all refuse to play this zero-sum game.»
While «NAZA» focuses on the military bureaucracy, the hit Netflix series «Fauda» recently released a fifth season examining the Israeli psyche following the October 7 attacks.
«Fauda» focuses heavily on the resulting trauma and the hunt for Hamas operatives, highlighting a cultural split in how Israeli creators approach the conflict. The Israeli Defense Forces have heavily disputed claims made in «NAZA,» denying allegations that a strike expected to kill up to 500 civilians could be approved to eliminate a single Hamas figure.
Innovative hybrid distribution model
Rather than relying entirely on traditional Hollywood studios for distribution, the filmmakers and producers opted for a self-managed hybrid approach. The Guardian partnered with French sales agent mk2 Films to secure theatrical releases across 56 distinct territories, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, Brazil and Australia. International cinema screenings will officially commence on September 28.
Following its worldwide cinema run, «NAZA» will stream globally for free on The Guardian’s official website starting in late November. The publication described the digital move as a direct commitment to independent journalism, ensuring the documentary’s findings reach a broad audience without financial barriers.
Political pressure mounts over Israel aid
The documentary’s release coincides with growing political scrutiny in the United States regarding military support for Israel. Recent legislative efforts reflect an ongoing debate within Congress over funding for the IDF amidst the conflict in Gaza.
In July, a significant voting block within the House of Representatives pushed to restrict or defund certain aspects of military aid to Israel. The growing momentum behind these initiatives highlights increasing pressure on policymakers to condition future military funding on human rights assessments and changing public opinion regarding the conflict.
