Global Reach of NAZA
The documentary NAZA has reached a worldwide audience of 1,547,033 people as of Friday, November 6, following its theatrical release last month. Directed by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, the film details the mass killing of civilians in Gaza, The Guardian reported.
The production has become one of the most-watched documentaries with a theatrical release in 2026. Its distribution spans 47 territories to date, with a free global streaming release on The Guardian scheduled for early December.
NAZA wins awards amid political threats
The film secured the Special Jury prize at the Venice film festival in September. Its premiere there drew a 24.5-minute standing ovation, according to The Guardian.
NAZA also received the Critics’ Choice documentary award for best political documentary earlier this month. The project drew international attention after Israel’s culture minister threatened to strip the directors of their citizenship, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the identification and prosecution of the film’s interviewees.
Cinematic Performance in Europe and North America
The film achieved status in Italy, where it recorded 717,517 admissions. It currently stands as the third most-watched documentary with a theatrical release in the country, behind Fahrenheit 9/11 and The March of the Penguins.
| Region | Admissions |
|---|---|
| Italy | 717,517 |
| Benelux | 132,323 |
| UK and Ireland | 102,508 |
| Germany | 83,355 |
| US and Canada | 83,673 |
In France, the film was limited to a 48-hour cinematic window due to the country’s strict rules around films that are also streamed online. Despite this, it topped the box office on both days with more than 82,000 admissions across nearly 500 screenings.
Audience Reception
Reports from cinemas have highlighted the reaction of viewers as the credits roll. “Rarely does a film screening give way to such silence when the lights come back on,” stated a review on Radio France.
In Germany, where the war in Gaza and the government’s support of Israel have sown division in the cultural scene, the film reached 83,355 spectators. The Guardian is currently preparing the online video release of the documentary for a large global audience in multiple languages.
Why NAZA release windows vary by region
Why was the theatrical release limited in France?
France has strict rules around films that are also streamed online. This resulted in a 48-hour window for NAZA in French cinemas.
How was the film distributed in North America?
The film was initially released on September 30 through a self-release model. In October, the distributor Neon picked up the film for the US and Canada.
What is the status of the online release?
The Guardian plans to release the documentary for free on its website in early December. The outlet is working to prepare the online video release for a large global audience in multiple languages.
Worth a look