Watermelon Pictures, the new company of MPI Media Group, has acquired North American distribution rights to From Ground Zero, which will represent Palestine at this year's Oscars for Best International Feature Film.
I see Gaza | Documentary
The label is planning a full theatrical release and shortlist run for Rashid Masharawi’s work — a collection of short films, both documentary and drama, made in Gaza since January 2024. It had its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The project specifically brings together 22 short films by Gaza-based filmmakers in an initiative set against the backdrop of the conflict, and providing a platform for young artists. The short films range in length from 3 to 6 minutes and offer a unique perspective on the current reality in the area, which Israel began bombing shortly after the brutal Hamas attack on October 7. Gaza has since been virtually razed to the ground, and according to authorities there, more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed and almost 2 million displaced.
Despite the harsh filming conditions, Gaza’s vibrant artistic scene shines through, offering intimate and powerful portraits of everyday life. Using a mix of genres including fiction, documentary, docu-fiction, animation and experimental cinema, the work captures the diverse experiences of the Palestinian enclave, including its challenges, tragedies and moments of resilience.
