Israeli Film Accusing IDF of Genocide Wins Award at Venice Festival

The documentary film "NAZA," which criticizes the Israeli military's campaign in Gaza, received a Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival. The film, directed by Yuval Abraham, is based on secret interviews with 24 anonymous Israeli soldiers and intelligence officers who shared details about operations, including the use of artificial intelligence for target selection. Some interviewees reportedly described the actions as a "death factory" and drew parallels to dehumanization processes, with the filmmakers classifying the army's actions as genocide, despite acknowledging the October 7th attacks and Israel's official stance.

The 80-minute film, a collaboration with The Guardian, uses the acronym "NAZA," which stands for "collateral damage" in Hebrew military parlance. The premiere in Venice was met with a 24-minute standing ovation, during which Palestinian flags were displayed. Upon receiving the award, director Yuval Abraham sharply criticized Israeli authorities, accusing them of systemic crimes, and also rebuked Berlin and Rome for hindering international pressure.

Abraham is known for his previous controversial project "No Other Land," which won an Oscar in 2025. The main prize at the Venice festival, the Golden Lion, was awarded to the Danish film "The Other Woman."