Birds of War Secures Global Distribution and Oscar-Qualifying U.S. Run

Dogwoof announced that its Sundance-award documentary “Birds of War” has secured theatrical distribution in five regions: Madman Distribution (Australia, New Zealand), Filmin (Spain, Portugal), VRT (Belgium), Against Gravity (Poland) and Kinosmith (Canada). In the United States, 8 Above Films will give the film an Oscar-qualifying run this autumn, while Dogwoof will release it in the U.K. and Ireland on 3 July.

Variety Magazine

The film premiered at Sundance, winning the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Journalistic Impact. It later earned the Audience Award at Visions du Reel, four awards at Thessaloniki, and the Grand Jury prize at Seattle International Film Festival. Production is credited to Sonja Henrici, with support from Screen Scotland.

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Journalist Janay Boulos and activist-cameraman Abd Alkader Habak co-direct and co-produce the documentary. Dogwoof serves as the primary sales and distribution partner; 8 Above Films handles the U.S. window. Regional distributors are Madman Distribution (Australia, New Zealand), Filmin (Spain, Portugal), VRT (Belgium), Against Gravity (Poland) and Kinosmith (Canada). Jon Reiss is president of 8 Above Films.

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Using archival footage, voice notes, texts and video diaries, the film presents a personal love story amid conflict. By reaching audiences in ten territories and qualifying for Oscar consideration, it offers a view of war that may shape public discourse and documentary support.

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Dogwoof characterized the documentary as an intimate portrayal that reframes a major contemporary conflict through a real-life love story, emphasizing its use of archival material and personal recordings. Jon Reiss, president of 8 Above Films, praised the film for transcending war’s brutality and showcasing humanity’s capacity for love.

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No contradictory information appears in the sources; box-office forecasts and award-season eligibility remain unreported.

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• “deeply intimate documentary that reframes one of the defining conflicts of our time through an extraordinary real-life love story,” — Dogwoof, press release

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• “Boulos and Habak have created a masterly crafted film that transcends the brutality of war, connecting us with the very essence of humanity – our capacity for love. This is exactly the kind of story 8 Above wants to bring to audiences – bold, important and completely unforgettable.” — Jon Reiss, President, 8 Above Films

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• “ The film received its world premiere at Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, where it won the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Journalistic Impact and has since picked up major international prize wins, including the Audience Award at Visions du Reel, and a record four awards at Thessaloniki, plus the Grand Jury prize at Seattle Intl.” — Variety article

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The film opens in U.K. and Irish cinemas on 3 July, followed by the U.S. Oscar-qualifying theatrical run in the autumn.

Variety Magazine