Israeli Documentary on Gaza Deaths Wins Venice Jury Prize

The new documentary "Nezaza" by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shore, creators of the Oscar-winning "No Other Land," has received the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival. Following its premiere screening, the film garnered a remarkable 24.5-minute standing ovation, reportedly the longest in the festival's history. The approximately 80-minute film, which is competing for the Golden Lion award, investigates the selection process for Israeli airstrike targets in Gaza during the recent conflict. Its narrative is built upon testimonies from 24 Israeli intelligence officers, soldiers, and security personnel.

Abraham, speaking on behalf of the filmmakers, stated, "I want to make it clear: the truth was documented in real-time from day one by Palestinian journalists. We believe that the denial of the crime is what allows it to continue. Therefore, we think it is important for Israelis to watch it." The filmmakers aim to expose, as they put it, "the systems behind the calculated killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza." The documentary also draws on investigative reports published between 2023 and 2025 in +972 Magazine, Local Call, and The Guardian.

Abraham and Shore were two of the four directors of "No Other Land," alongside Basel Adra and Hamdan Bilal, which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature last year. During the extended applause in Venice, Palestinian flags were visible in the audience, and Abraham and Shore appeared visibly moved. Jonathan Glazer, the Oscar-winning director of "The Zone of Interest" and the film's executive producer, joined the ovation and embraced the directors. The previous record for applause at the festival was set last year by Kaouther Ben Hania's film "Four Daughters," which received a 22-minute ovation. "Nezaza" has now surpassed this record, establishing itself as a significant contender for the Golden Lion.