Israeli Documentary 'N.A.Z.A.' Wins Special Jury Prize at Venice Film Festival

The Israeli documentary "N.A.Z.A." (NAZA), by directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shore, has won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice International Film Festival. The film, which presents testimonies from soldiers and intelligence personnel, has sparked significant debate due to its serious allegations and received a lengthy standing ovation at its premiere.

"N.A.Z.A." was the sole documentary among 21 films competing in the festival's main section. It was added to the competition late and had its world premiere on Thursday. The Golden Lion, the festival's top prize, was awarded to "Woman Unknown" by Danish director May el-Toukh.

Abraham and Shore were previously involved in "No Other Land," which won an Oscar for Best Documentary last year. "N.A.Z.A." was produced by The Guardian and JW Films, with British director Jonathan Glazer serving as executive producer. The approximately 80-minute film, shot in Hebrew and English, is slated for screening at the New York Film Festival later this month.

Filmed covertly over nearly three years, primarily at night on Tel Aviv rooftops, the documentary features digitally altered faces and voices of 24 Israeli soldiers and intelligence officers. The creators asked interviewees to describe surveillance, intelligence gathering, and target selection systems used during the Gaza war. The film's title, "N.A.Z.A.," is a military acronym for "collateral damage," referring to the estimated number of civilians potentially killed in an attack on a military target.

The film draws partly on investigations published in +972 Magazine, Local Call, and The Guardian between 2023 and 2025, connecting those findings to the filmed testimonies of individuals who allegedly operated these systems. Interviewees describe using artificial intelligence and mobile phone data to identify suspected Hamas operatives. According to the testimonies, targets were sometimes attacked in homes where families were present, with prior knowledge that civilians might be harmed. Some interviewees also describe firing at civilians entering restricted zones, including near aid distribution points.

The Israeli military has vehemently denied these claims. In an interview with Reuters, Abraham stated the film aims to expose a system where civilian harm, according to the filmmakers, is not merely accidental but embedded in target selection processes. Shore explained that filming in Tel Aviv was intended to contrast the city's ongoing life with the destruction in Gaza. The film relies heavily on long conversations with interviewees and their technical explanations, with minimal graphic footage from Gaza.

The Venice premiere concluded with a nearly 25-minute standing ovation, reportedly the longest of the festival, during which Palestinian flags were also displayed. The film received largely positive reviews from international press outlets like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. However, The Guardian's critic noted that the anonymity of the testimonies somewhat weakened their impact. In Israel, the film faced sharp criticism regarding its allegations against the IDF, the interviewees' anonymity, and historical comparisons made by some. Supporters argued that testimonies from Israelis involved in the system necessitate public discussion.

The IDF issued a strong rebuttal, dismissing the allegations entirely. A military spokesperson stated the film relies on unverifiable anonymous testimonies and that some interviewees claim knowledge beyond their authority. The IDF also denied using AI for strike decisions, asserting that technological systems are merely aids and human personnel make all strike decisions. The military maintained its operations in Gaza target Hamas and other terrorist groups, comply with international law, and strive to minimize civilian harm.