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  • mk2 Films Launches Sales on Venice Gaza Documentary ‘NAZA’

    mk2 Films Launches Sales on Venice Gaza Documentary ‘NAZA’

    mk2 Films Launches Sales on Venice Gaza Documentary NAZA

    Eight months after No Other Land made Oscar history, its co-directors are back with a new documentary from Gaza. NAZA, directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, has been added to the main competition at the 82nd Venice Film Festival—a rare slot for a documentary. mk2 Films, the Paris-based sales agent, is launching world sales ahead of the world premiere.

    A Late Addition to Venice’s Main Competition

    The 82nd Venice International Film Festival, running from August 27 to September 6, 2025, added NAZA to its competition line-up at the last minute. The film, a documentary on Gaza, joins a slate dominated by fiction features—a rarity for Venice, which historically favors auteur cinema. The late announcement suggests either a rushed post-production to capture the ongoing crisis or a strategic slot to maximize impact.

    The Filmmakers: From Oscar Win to Gaza

    Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, both Israeli journalists, previously co-directed No Other Land with Basel Adra and Hamdan Ballal. That film, chronicling the demolition of Masafer Yatta in the West Bank, won the Berlinale Documentary Film Award and the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2025. The film’s Oscar win was a political flashpoint, with debates over Israeli filmmakers documenting Palestinian suffering. Now, NAZA shifts focus to Gaza, continuing their documentation of life under occupation and conflict.

    mk2 Films: Continuing the Partnership

    mk2 Films handled sales for No Other Land in several territories, so the partnership with NAZA is a natural continuation. The company is known for prestige festival titles and strong European theatrical distribution. With the post-Oscar bump, NAZA‘s commercial ceiling is higher, and mk2 is likely targeting theatrical, streaming, and broadcast deals across multiple territories.

    What to Expect from NAZA

    While specific plot details remain under wraps, the film’s subject matter is Gaza. The challenge of making a documentary about an ongoing war is shaping narrative without an ending. Will NAZA employ personal testimony, observational verité, or archival footage? The filmmakers’ previous work combined intimate portraits with political context. How they adapt their style to the chaos of Gaza—where safety is a constant concern—will be a key question.

    The Political and Ethical Stakes

    The film arrives amid the Israel–Hamas war (October 2023–present), with Gaza’s humanitarian crisis dominating global headlines. The filmmakers have faced criticism from both sides: some Palestinian filmmakers question Israeli filmmakers telling their stories, while Israeli authorities have been hostile to their work. NAZA will likely reignite debates about representation, funding, and the role of Israeli filmmakers in documenting Palestinian suffering.

    The Venice Platform

    Venice has rarely placed documentaries in its main competition, though Sacro GRA won the Golden Lion in 2013. The festival’s embrace of NAZA signals a growing acceptance of documentary as a competitive art form. For mk2 Films, a Venice premiere offers global media attention and access to top-tier buyers. The film’s world premiere date and screening slot will be announced closer to the festival.

    NAZA is more than a follow-up to an Oscar winner—it is a test of how cinema can respond to an ongoing humanitarian catastrophe. With Venice as its launchpad and mk2’s sales machinery behind it, the film is poised to be one of the most talked-about documentaries of the year. Whether it can transcend the political noise and reach audiences as a work of art remains to be seen.

    Summary

    • NAZA, directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, is a new documentary on Gaza, added late to the Venice 2025 main competition.
    • mk2 Films is handling world sales, continuing their partnership from No Other Land.
    • The film follows the Oscar-winning No Other Land and faces high expectations and political scrutiny.
    • Venice’s rare documentary competition slot signals growing acceptance of non-fiction in top-tier festivals.
    • Production details and world premiere date are yet to be confirmed.

    FAQ

    Q: Is NAZA a sequel to No Other Land?
    A: No, it’s a separate documentary focusing on Gaza, not a continuation of the West Bank story.

    Q: Why is a documentary in Venice’s main competition?
    A: Venice rarely includes documentaries, but NAZA‘s topical urgency and the filmmakers’ pedigree likely earned it a slot.

    Q: Who are the directors?
    A: Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, Israeli journalists who co-directed No Other Land.

    Q: What is the film’s subject?
    A: Gaza, but specific plot details are undisclosed; it will document life under conflict.

    Q: When and where will it premiere?
    A: The world premiere is expected at Venice 2025 (August 27–September 6), but the exact date is unconfirmed.

  • MK2 Films Acquires ‘NAZA,’ New Documentary from ‘No Other Land’ Directors, Ahead of Venice Competition Premiere

    MK2 Films Acquires ‘NAZA,’ New Documentary from ‘No Other Land’ Directors, Ahead of Venice Competition Premiere

    mk2 Films Launches Sales on Venice Gaza Documentary NAZA

    MK2 Films has acquired worldwide rights to “NAZA,” the new documentary from Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, the co-directors of the Oscar-winning “No Other Land.” The film has been added to the competition lineup of the Venice Film Festival, with its world premiere set for the festival later this year.

    The acquisition, announced just ahead of the festival, marks a significant move for MK2 Films, which previously handled sales for “No Other Land” in select territories. “NAZA” is described as a follow-up work from the duo, shot at night on the rooftops of Tel Aviv, and reportedly examines the systems behind Israel’s calculated military and surveillance apparatus.

    The announcement positions “NAZA” as one of the most politically charged films of the upcoming festival season, building on the controversy and acclaim that surrounded “No Other Land.” The film’s late addition to the Venice competition suggests strong festival interest and potential awards momentum.

    A High-Profile Follow-Up

    “NAZA” marks the second collaboration between Abraham and Szor, who previously worked together on “No Other Land” — with Szor serving as cinematographer and Abraham as co-director. That film, co-directed with Palestinian activist Basel Adra and Hamdan Ballal, won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in March 2025. It depicted the forced displacement of the Palestinian community in Masafer Yatta in the occupied West Bank, and sparked intense debate in Israel and internationally.

    The new project, still under a working title, is described as a separate work that continues the directors’ focus on Israeli policies and their human costs. The night-time rooftop setting suggests a visual approach that may employ surveillance-like aesthetics, potentially offering a voyeuristic perspective on Tel Aviv and the systems operating within Israeli society.

    Venice Competition Slot

    The Venice Film Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious, added “NAZA” to its competition lineup in a late announcement on a Monday, just ahead of the festival’s opening. Competition slots are highly coveted, and documentaries are relatively rare in this category, signaling the festival’s confidence in the film’s artistic and political relevance.

    MK2 Films, a major French sales company, will handle worldwide sales. The acquisition is a strategic bet on the film’s festival performance and awards potential, following the success of “No Other Land,” which faced distribution hurdles in the U.S. before being released by a coalition of independent distributors.

    Political and Artistic Stakes

    The film’s subject matter is likely to reignite debates about Israeli accountability, surveillance, and the occupation. Abraham, an Israeli journalist, has faced criticism from officials for his outspoken views, including his Oscar acceptance speech calling for a ceasefire and equal rights. Szor, an Israeli cinematographer, brings a visual sensibility that may prioritize observational techniques over traditional interviews.

    The title “NAZA” remains enigmatic, with no official explanation yet. It could be a Hebrew or Arabic term, an acronym, or a proper name, but its meaning is unconfirmed.

    Distribution and Reception Ahead

    While the acquisition and festival premiere confirm the film’s entry into the global festival circuit, its release date and distribution plans are yet to be announced. Given the political climate, “NAZA” may face similar challenges in Israel and the U.S. as its predecessor, but the Venice platform provides a high-profile launch for international sales and critical attention.

    As “NAZA” prepares to premiere in Venice, the film carries the weight of its directors’ previous work and the ongoing debates it fueled. With MK2 Films backing the project, the documentary is poised to become a major talking point at the festival, and its reception will likely shape its journey through the awards season and beyond.

    Summary

    • MK2 Films acquires worldwide rights to “NAZA,” the new documentary from Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, directors of “No Other Land.”
    • The film has been added to the Venice Film Festival competition lineup, premiering later this year.
    • “NAZA” is shot at night on Tel Aviv rooftops and reportedly examines Israel’s military and surveillance systems.
    • The acquisition follows the Oscar-winning success and controversy of “No Other Land.”
    • The film’s release date and distribution strategy are yet to be announced.

    FAQ

    Q: What is “NAZA” about?
    A: “NAZA” is a documentary from Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor that reportedly shows the systems behind Israel’s calculated military and surveillance operations. It was shot at night on the rooftops of Tel Aviv.

    Q: Who are the directors of “NAZA”?
    A: The directors are Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, who previously co-directed the Oscar-winning documentary “No Other Land” (with Basel Adra and Hamdan Ballal).

    Q: When will “NAZA” premiere?
    A: The film has been added to the competition lineup of the Venice Film Festival, with its world premiere expected during the festival, which typically runs in late August to early September.

    Q: Who is distributing “NAZA”?
    A: MK2 Films, a French sales company, has acquired worldwide rights to the film and will handle international sales.

    Q: Is “NAZA” a sequel to “No Other Land”?
    A: No, “NAZA” is a separate work, though it shares thematic concerns with the directors’ previous film. It is not a sequel.

  • Venice Film Festival Announces 2025 Masterclass Lineup: Clooney, Burstyn, Guadagnino

    Venice Film Festival Announces 2025 Masterclass Lineup: Clooney, Burstyn, Guadagnino

    The Venice Film Festival has confirmed the first names for its 2025 masterclass series, with George Clooney, Ellen Burstyn, and Luca Guadagnino set to lead career-spanning conversations at the Match Point Arena on the Lido. The sessions, limited to 250 accredited guests each, will also be livestreamed on the festival’s official website, extending access to a global audience.

    Scheduled to run from August 27 to September 6, 2025, the 82nd edition of the festival continues its tradition of pairing established industry figures with intimate audiences. The masterclasses are part of Venice’s broader cultural mission, complementing the competitive and market-oriented sections that make the festival a key stop on the awards-season circuit.

    A Trio of Masters

    George Clooney, a two-time Academy Award winner, brings a career that spans acting, directing, and producing. His recent work includes The Boys in the Boat (2023) and Ticket to Paradise (2022), and he has maintained a long relationship with Venice, where several of his films have premiered. Clooney’s masterclass is expected to cover his evolution from television actor to Hollywood A-lister and his forays into political and humanitarian advocacy.

    Ellen Burstyn, at 92, is a living link to the New Hollywood era. Her Academy Award for Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974) and nominations for roles in The Exorcist, Same Time, Next Year, Resurrection, and Requiem for a Dream underscore a six-decade career. Recent appearances in The Exorcist: Believer (2023) and Queen Bees (2021) show her continued vitality. Her session offers a rare opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of working with directors like Martin Scorsese and Darren Aronofsky.

    Luca Guadagnino, the Italian filmmaker behind Call Me by Your Name (2017), Suspiria (2018), Bones and All (2022), and Challengers (2024), represents a bridge between European art cinema and global streaming-era distribution. His upcoming film After the Hunt, starring Julia Roberts, is expected to premiere at Venice 2025, making his masterclass particularly timely. Guadagnino’s visual sensuality and recurring collaborations with cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom and composer Trent Reznor will likely be topics of discussion.

    Intimate Setting, Global Reach

    The Match Point Arena, a purpose-built venue introduced in recent editions, seats just 250 people per session. This intimacy fosters direct dialogue, a feature that distinguishes Venice’s masterclasses from larger festival panels. The livestream component reflects the festival’s post-pandemic commitment to hybrid accessibility, though some critics question whether broadcasting diminishes the exclusivity of the experience. The festival argues that it democratizes access to film education, allowing fans and aspiring filmmakers worldwide to participate virtually.

    Program Context and Expectations

    Venice has long used masterclasses to enhance its cultural prestige, competing with Cannes and Berlin not only for premieres but for intellectual engagement. The 2025 edition, directed by Alberto Barbera, is shaping up to be a battleground for awards contenders, and the masterclass lineup adds another layer of appeal. While the three confirmed names span different generations and cinematic traditions, the absence of other women besides Burstyn may raise questions about gender balance, though additional participants are expected to be announced.

    For Guadagnino, the masterclass could position him as both a “master” and a “contender” in the same edition, especially if After the Hunt screens at the festival. For Burstyn, the appearance reinforces her status as a legend, potentially alongside a retrospective or tribute. Clooney’s session, meanwhile, may attract attention for his dual role as a filmmaker and a public figure.

    The Future of Film Education

    The hybrid format of the masterclasses speaks to a broader trend in festival programming. As the Lido modernizes, the choice of the Match Point Arena over historic venues like the Palazzo del Cinema signals a shift toward flexible, contemporary spaces. Whether the intimacy of a 250-seat room can be preserved through a screen remains an open question, but the festival’s commitment to expanding access is clear.

    The 2025 Venice masterclass series promises to blend legacy and innovation, with Clooney, Burstyn, and Guadagnino offering distinct perspectives on craft and career. As the festival continues to adapt to a changing media landscape, these sessions will likely serve as both a celebration of cinema’s past and a lens on its future.

    Summary

    • George Clooney, Ellen Burstyn, and Luca Guadagnino lead the 2025 Venice masterclass lineup.
    • Sessions take place at the Match Point Arena, seating 250, with livestreams on the festival website.
    • The masterclasses run alongside the 82nd Venice Film Festival, August 27–September 6, 2025.
    • The lineup spans generations, from Burstyn’s New Hollywood era to Guadagnino’s contemporary art cinema.
    • Additional participants are expected; gender balance may be a point of discussion.

    FAQ

    Q: When will the 2025 Venice Film Festival take place?
    A: The festival is scheduled for August 27 to September 6, 2025.

    Q: Where will the masterclasses be held?
    A: At the Match Point Arena on the Lido di Venezia, which seats 250 accredited guests per session.

    Q: Will the masterclasses be available online?
    A: Yes, all sessions will be livestreamed on the festival’s official website.

    Q: Who are the confirmed masterclass speakers?
    A: George Clooney, Ellen Burstyn, and Luca Guadagnino, with more names expected.

    Q: Why is Luca Guadagnino’s masterclass particularly timely?
    A: His upcoming film After the Hunt, starring Julia Roberts, is expected to premiere at the festival.