Israeli Documentary 'No Other Land' Nominated for Three European Film Awards

The Israeli documentary film "No Other Land," directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shore, has received three nominations for the European Film Academy Awards: Best European Film, Best Documentary, and Best Sound. The nominations were announced on Saturday at a press conference during the Thessaloniki Film Festival in Greece. The 39th annual ceremony, often referred to as Europe's answer to the Oscars, is scheduled for January 16 in Athens.

"No Other Land" is based on investigative reports published between 2023 and 2025 by Abraham for the Israeli news site "+972 Magazine" and "The Guardian." The film features interviews with 24 IDF soldiers and intelligence personnel from Unit 8200, who describe how the military uses artificial intelligence to select targets for elimination in Gaza, alleging mass civilian casualties. The film, which draws parallels between the Holocaust and the situation in Gaza, was filmed on Tel Aviv rooftops during the current conflict and includes testimonies about the IDF's 'accidental damage' policy.

The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September, where it received a special jury prize and a record-breaking 25-minute standing ovation. Since then, it has garnered awards at festivals in the Hamptons, USA, San Sebastian, and Athens. The film's creators stated their intention was to combat silence and denial that they believe enable continued harm to civilians.

The documentary has drawn strong reactions in Israel. The IDF, including Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, convened an urgent discussion following its release. IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Avichai Dofin refuted the film's claims, accusing it of bad faith, factual distortion, and journalistic negligence. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to advance legislation allowing for the revocation of citizenship and increased defamation lawsuit damages for those who defame the state and IDF soldiers. President Isaac Herzog strongly condemned the film, asserting it ignores the October 7th attacks and Israel's right to self-defense. Minister of Culture and Sport Miki Zohar has requested an examination of Shore and Abraham's citizenship revocation proceedings on grounds of treason.

Abraham and Shore's previous film, "No Other Land," which documented the struggle of residents in the Masafer Yatta villages in southern Hebron against the IDF, the Civil Administration, and violent settlers, won the European Film Academy Award, an Oscar for Best Documentary, and nearly 70 other awards in 2024.

Other notable nominations include Sandra Hüller for Best Actress for her roles in "The Zone of Interest" and "20,000 Species of Bees." Spanish actors Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem also received nominations. The film "13 in Gaza" by Palestinian director Hussam Abu-Dan, about a father and daughter in a Gaza refugee camp after losing their home and family to an Israeli bombing, is nominated for Discovery of the Year. Palestinian-Israeli actress Hiam Abbass will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to cinema.