Story perspectives

Israeli documentary NAZA premieres at Venice, enters Golden Lion race

8/25/2026

Summary

Israeli Filmmakers Debut

Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor debut their documentary NAZA at the Venice Film Festival.
The premiere on September 10 at the 83rd Venice Festival makes NAZA the sole documentary among 21 Golden Lion contenders.
The film, titled with a Hebrew military acronym for civilian deaths, examines Israel’s system for mass killing in Gaza.
The Guardian co-produces NAZA with James Wilson and Jonathan Glazer, filming on Tel Aviv rooftops at night.

Summary

Venice Festival Spotlight

Israeli authorities opened a criminal investigation into the death of filmmaker Hind Rajab.
Thousands protested Israeli actions in Gaza outside the Venice Film Festival last year.
Festival director refused to label the conflict a genocide despite pressure from filmmakers.
Hind Rajab’s film “The Voice of Hind Rajab” received a 23-minute standing ovation and won the Silver Lion.
Venice’s 2026 program includes several Gaza-related documentaries, highlighting a focus on war narratives.

Summary

Naza Joins Venice

Naza joins Venice’s competition roster as a last-minute inclusion.
Producers James Wilson and Jonathan Glazer, Oscar winners for “The Zone of Interest,” entered the competition.
Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal chairs the competition jury, joined by Kaouther Ben Hania and Daniel Blumberg.
The screening occurs in the Sala Grande of the Palazzo del Cinema before the official delegation.

History

Historical Context

At the 2003 Sundance Film Festival (Jan 16-26) the event set a precedent for political cinema, and the following year *Control Room* premiered there, exposing Al Jazeera’s coverage of the 2003 Iraq invasion and sparking protests. That episode showed festivals can shape war discourse. In 2026 Venice screens *NAZA* and *The Voice of Hind Rajab* by James Wilson and Jonathan Glazer, prompting similar demonstrations.

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Israeli Filmmakers Debut

Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor debut their documentary NAZA at the Venice Film Festival.
The premiere on September 10 at the 83rd Venice Festival makes NAZA the sole documentary among 21 Golden Lion contenders.
The film, titled with a Hebrew military acronym for civilian deaths, examines Israel’s system for mass killing in Gaza.
The Guardian co-produces NAZA with James Wilson and Jonathan Glazer, filming on Tel Aviv rooftops at night.

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