Palestinian Film Highlighting Gaza Stories Earns Spot on Oscars Shortlist
**Palestinian Film *From Ground Zero* Shortlisted for 97th Academy Awards: A Testament to Resilience Through Cinema**
In a remarkable achievement for Palestinian cinema, the film *From Ground Zero* (2024), an anthological documentary comprising 22 short films, has been shortlisted in the International Feature Film category for the 97th Academy Awards. Curated by acclaimed Ramallah-based director Rashid Masharawi, the documentary amplifies the voices of Gazan filmmakers living and working amid the harrowing reality of ongoing conflict. This recognition not only highlights the artistry embedded within the film but also sheds light on the human stories deeply entrenched within Gaza’s struggle for survival and dignity.
### A Cinematic Chronicle of Life Amid Chaos
*From Ground Zero* offers a unique storytelling approach by handing the camera to 22 Gazan filmmakers, inviting them to capture their lived experiences. The resulting work is an intimate and raw exploration of life amidst destruction, scarcity, and trauma. Each filmmaker contributes short, three-to-six-minute segments that collectively weave a tapestry of resilience and humanity.
The documentary encompasses a myriad of filmmaking styles, ranging from traditional documentary footage of destroyed buildings and daily survival in tent camps to emotionally charged stop-motion animation. Scenes include heart-wrenching testimonies from children, search-and-rescue operations, and the enduring hum of military planes overhead—an ever-present reminder of the precarious reality of life in Gaza.
Rashid Masharawi described his vision for the project in a press statement, saying, “My goal was to amplify the voices of 22 Gazan filmmakers, and I was fortunate to bring this vision to fruition.” His effort ensures that the world gains a closer, unfiltered look into the lives of those affected by the devastation in Gaza.
### Art as Resistance: Voices of the Filmmakers
One of the standout contributors is Basel ElMaqousi, a displaced artist, teacher, and co-founder of the now-destroyed Shababeek for Contemporary Art Center in Gaza. His segment, *Fragments* (2024), juxtaposes haunting charcoal drawings of atrocities with everyday struggles amid the ruins of a collapsed infrastructure. ElMaqousi embraced the opportunity to depict his truth through art, emphasizing how cinema serves as a “soft hand for resistance.”
In a message from Gaza, he reflected on the importance of freedom in art, noting that *From Ground Zero* allowed each filmmaker total creative liberty. He drew thematic inspiration from Anton Chekhov’s *Ward No. 6*: “Just as in prison, men held together by common misfortune feel more at ease when they are together.” For ElMaqousi, the film is not only a platform to share their suffering but also an assertion of humanity’s right to freedom, dignity, and creative expression.
### A Controversial and Courageous Journey
Despite initial acclaim, *From Ground Zero* faced setbacks early in its journey. The film was selected to premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in 2024, only to be removed from the program weeks before the event. In protest, Masharawi organized an unofficial screening of the film in a tent set up on the festival grounds—a poignant nod to the shelters in Gaza where millions now reside after the destruction of their homes.
The film’s premiere at the Amman Film Festival in Jordan ignited its global tour, with subsequent screenings at the Toronto International Film Festival, the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and the UrbanWorld Film Festival. Its journey has been marked by unwavering determination to bring Gazan voices to the forefront of international cinema.
### Recognition on the Global Stage
For its Academy Award bid, *From Ground Zero* stands as a beacon of resilience and creativity. It is joined by two other Palestinian films shortlisted for the 97th Oscars: *An Orange from Jaffa* (2024), a live-action short film about navigating checkpoints, and *No Other Land* (2023), a documentary by Basel Adra and Yuval Abraham chronicling the destruction of Masafer Yatta. Together, these films highlight the rich but often overlooked narratives emerging from Palestine.
Munir Atalla, the head of production and acquisitions at Watermelon Pictures—*From Ground Zero*’s distributor—hailed the film as a cinematic miracle. “If cinema is meant to bring the world closer to us, profoundly challenge us, and reveal the facets of our shared humanity, I can think of no more worthy film for this moment and this honor,” Atalla stated. He hopes the film will serve as a counterpoint to mainstream media narratives, giving audiences a rare glimpse into life in Gaza beyond the headlines.
### The Legacy of *From Ground Zero*
With its public debut slated for January 3 under the distribution of Palestinian-owned Watermelon Pictures, *From Ground Zero* has already left an indelible mark on the global cinematic landscape. Its inclusion in the Oscars shortlist exemplifies the power of art