Guardian sets global cinema release for Gaza documentary NAZA
The Guardian has announced a cinema release in more than 50 countries for NAZA, the documentary by Israeli film-makers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, before a free digital release on its website, The Guardian. The announcement on 24 September 2026 followed the film's premiere at the Venice Film Festival earlier in September.
The Guardian produced the film. Jonathan Glazer is credited as executive producer, a senior backing role rather than day-to-day direction, and James Wilson of JW Films is also listed as a producer, The Guardian. The project builds on journalism first published between 2023 and 2025 by the Guardian, +972 Magazine and Local Call.
NAZA takes its title from a military acronym used by Israeli intelligence to indicate the number of civilians expected to be killed in an airstrike. It is built around interviews with 24 members of Israeli intelligence and the military, given on condition of anonymity and filmed at night on rooftops in Tel Aviv, The Guardian. Those contributors discuss remote targeting work, including AI systems, error rates and intelligence units, The Guardian.
At Venice, the film received a 25-minute standing ovation described as a festival record. It then won the special jury prize, an award decided by the festival jury.
In North America, the film will have its premiere at the New York Film Festival. Four days later it opens at the IFC Center in New York City. On 9 October it expands to Los Angeles and other key US cities before a national rollout, the step from selected cities to cinemas across the country.
Internationally, a theatrical release in partnership with MK2 Films is planned in 55 other territories, The Guardian. They include the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, Hong Kong, Brazil, Turkey, Thailand, France, Spain, Germany, Central America and the Middle East. After the cinema run, the film will stream free on the Guardian's website.
A number of distributors and cinemas in Israel have been offered the film, and the Guardian said it is exploring ways for it to be seen in the occupied Palestinian territories. The film alleges that mass civilian deaths were routinely built into military decisions, according to reporting by Reuters. On 14 September 2026, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described NAZA as "shocking incitement", Reuters reported.
