With NAZA taking home the Special Jury Prize at the 2026 Venice Film Festival, Palestinian stories once again took center stage at one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals. The win is also a reminder of the powerful films that have brought Palestinian experiences to international audiences over the years. From documentaries confronting the realities of Gaza to intimate stories about life under occupation, here are some Palestinian films that have won awards at Venice.
NAZA (2026) — Special Jury Prize
Directed by Oscar-winning Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, NAZA is a chilling documentary that examines Israel’s use of AI-assisted systems in the killing of civilians in Gaza. The film looks at the technology and systems behind these operations while questioning their human cost. Its Special Jury Prize win at Venice highlights the film’s impact and adds another major international recognition to a story centered on Gaza.
The Voice of Hind Rajab (2025) — Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize
Directed by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, The Voice of Hind Rajab follows Palestine Red Crescent Society emergency dispatchers as they desperately try to rescue Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl trapped in Gaza. Blending documentary elements with drama, the film centers on the real audio recordings from the rescue effort and the race against time to reach her. It won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the 2025 Venice Film Festival.
Happy Holidays (2024) — Orizzonti Award for Best Screenplay
Written and directed by Palestinian filmmaker Scandar Copti, Happy Holidays explores the lives of four interconnected characters navigating questions of gender, generations, culture, and society. Moving between Jerusalem and Haifa, the film offers an intimate look at the tensions and complexities shaping their relationships and everyday lives. It premiered at Venice in 2024, where it won the Orizzonti Award for Best Screenplay.
200 Meters (2020) — BNL People’s Choice Audience Award
Written and directed by Palestinian filmmaker Ameen Nayfeh, 200 Meters follows a Palestinian father who finds himself trapped on the other side of the separation wall while his son is in hospital. With the distance between them technically only 200 meters, reaching his son becomes an unexpectedly difficult journey. The film turns this simple premise into a tense and emotional story about borders, family, and the realities of movement under occupation. It won the BNL People’s Choice Audience Award at the 2020 Venice Film Festival.
From powerful documentaries to intimate dramas, these films show the many ways Palestinian stories can be brought to the screen, each offering a different perspective on life, loss, family, and resilience. Their recognition at Venice not only celebrates the filmmakers behind them, but also gives these stories a wider audience on one of cinema’s biggest stages.
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