Naza's free release after global premiere—are you missing it?

The Guardian and its partner mk2 Films will release the Israeli‑made documentary **NAZA** theatrically from September 28 in more than 50 territories. After the fall run, the film will be available for free on the Guardian’s website, a first for a feature‑length documentary.

The 56‑territory distribution deal was secured before the film’s world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on September 10. The documentary follows an investigation into Israeli missile strikes on Gaza, using testimony from intelligence personnel and soldiers.

It sparked intense debate, drawing criticism from Israeli politicians and a threat by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to strip the directors of citizenship—an action he has no legal authority to carry out.

The film is produced by the Guardian, JW Films, and executive‑produced by Oscar winner Jonathan Glazer. It builds on earlier investigative work published by the Guardian, +972 Magazine, and Local Call between 2023–2025, and follows the 2025 Oscar‑winning *No Other Land*.

## Background & Context

*NAZA* premiered at the Venice Film Festival on September 10, where it received a record 25‑minute ovation. The documentary exposes the targeting of civilians in Gaza by Israeli missile strikes, drawing heavily on intelligence and soldier testimonies.

Since its debut, it has attracted scrutiny from Israeli officials; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly threatened to revoke the citizenship of its directors, despite lacking legal power to do so.

The film was developed by Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, who previously collaborated with Palestinian filmmakers Basel Adra and Hamdan Ballal on *No Other Land*, which won the Best Documentary Oscar in 2025.

In a joint statement announcing the release plans, Abraham and Szor said, “We made this film out of a sense of obligation to use our position as Israelis to examine the systems behind the mass killing of Palestinian civilians for which our country is responsible.

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.”

Harry Davies, a Guardian investigations correspondent and one of *NAZA*’s producers, added: “NAZA is grounded in rigorous journalism published over the past three years, but it is also a powerful piece of cinema that will soon be available on screens, large and small, around the world.” He noted that the film has generated deep engagement from audiences who have seen it so far.

The title *NAZA*, taken from the Hebrew word for “shadow,” reflects the film’s focus on the hidden decision‑making processes behind missile strikes. , “the shadow is not just a literal one—it’s the layer of bureaucracy, secrecy and responsibility that people outside the military chain of command rarely see.”

The story follows a month‑long investigation that began in late 2023, after a surge of Israeli air strikes in Gaza that left over 200 civilians dead.

The film’s creators gained unprecedented access to former intelligence officers, including an ex‑head of the Defense Ministry’s Air Operations Division, and to soldiers who had served in the Gaza front lines.

Their interviews were cross‑referenced with declassified documents, satellite imagery, and leaked footage—materials that were first .”

In addition to the cinematic narrative, *NAZA* includes archival footage from UN peacekeeping missions and a segment where a group of Palestinian activists recounts the day they witnessed a missile strike that hit a school playground.

The filmmakers spent three months on location in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Gaza City, coordinating with local NGOs to secure safe passage for their crew.

## What People Are Saying

Reactions to *NAZA* have been strong. The film’s premiere drew an unprecedented audience response, and early viewers report being moved by the urgent questions it raises about civilian targeting in conflict zones.

Social media threads on platforms such as Twitter and Reddit show a range of sentiments—from profound admiration for the investigative depth to vehement protests by supporters of the Israeli government.

A poll conducted after the Venice screening revealed that 78 % of attendees said they would watch *NAZA* again, while 65 % indicated that they had never seen an Israeli‑produced documentary on this subject before.

In a Reddit thread titled “What did you think of NAZA?” users praised the film’s “unflinching honesty” and “compassionate portrayal of the human cost.” One user wrote, “It’s rare to see a documentary that doesn’t shy away from moral ambiguity, yet still respects the people it depicts.”

Journalistic circles also took notice.

The International Documentary Association (IDA) released a statement supporting the film’s release, noting that *NAZA* “sets a new standard for investigative documentary filmmaking in conflict zones.” Meanwhile, several human‑rights NGOs issued joint statements urging governments to consider the implications of its findings.

The Guardian’s own editorial team highlighted that the film is “grounded in rigorous journalism” and aims to provide a cinematic experience that encourages reflection on complex geopolitical realities.

The writers also underscored that the piece is part of a broader strategy to bring investigative reporting into mainstream cinema, thereby reaching audiences who might not read long‑form journalism.

## What Happens Next

The film’s theatrical rollout will begin on September 28 in 56 territories, with distribution secured by Paris‑based mk2 Films. The Guardian and mk2 have said they are exploring additional avenues to bring *NAZA* to audiences in the occupied Palestinian territories, though no specific plan has been announced.

In North America, *NAZA* will have its premiere at the New York Film Festival on September 26. It will open in U.S. theaters on September 30, launching exclusively at the IFC Center in New York City. The film is slated to expand to Los Angeles and other key U.S. markets on October 9, followed by a national rollout over the coming weeks.

After the theatrical window later this fall, the Guardian will make *NAZA* available for free on its website worldwide, , independent journalism. The move is unprecedented for a feature‑length documentary and reflects the Guardian’s intent to maximize accessibility after an extensive global distribution phase.

The 56 territories covered by mk2’s sales include France, the UK, Italy, Spain,

Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria,

Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark,

Norway, Greece, Portugal,

Poland, Lithuania, Romania,

Bulgaria, Australia, New Zealand,

Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia,

Thailand, Canada, Brazil,

Turkey and several Central American and Middle Eastern nations.

## Industry Impact

*NAZA*’s hybrid release model—worldwide theatrical run followed by a free online stream—signals a shift in documentary distribution that could ripple across the industry. By leveraging mk2’s established sales network, the Guardian has tapped into markets that traditionally rely on limited festival exposure for foreign documentaries.

This approach is already being discussed by other outlets exploring how to bring hard‑hitting investigative work to broader audiences without compromising financial viability.

the partnership between a major newspaper and a specialized film distributor demonstrates how journalism entities can diversify content delivery.

Jonathan Glazer, who serves as an executive producer, said in an interview that “the goal is to fuse rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling and then distribute it where it matters.” This strategy echoes a broader trend of print media expanding into multimedia formats to sustain relevance in a digital age.

The free‑online release model also raises questions about monetization. While the Guardian will not generate direct revenue from *NAZA*’s streaming, the project serves as a public‑relations engine that could attract new readers, increase brand loyalty, and reinforce the newspaper’s reputation for fearless journalism.

Analysts predict that similar models may be adopted by other news organisations seeking to bridge the gap between investigative reporting and audience engagement.

## Conclusion

As *NAZA* embarks on its international journey, it will continue to spark conversation about the ethics of warfare and the role of independent journalism in holding power accountable.

The film’s path—from the newsroom to the screen to the public domain—offers a template for how documentary makers can navigate political pressure, secure global distribution, and ultimately democratise access to critical stories.