NAZA to Stream Free on The Guardian After Global Theatrical Rollout

Key points

• Theatrical release begins September 28 in over 50 territories, with 56 distributors secured via mk2 films.
• The film will be available for free on The Guardian’s website in late November, following the theatrical run.
• NAZA won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival and received a record 25-minute standing ovation.
• The documentary features 24 anonymous Israeli military and intelligence sources discussing AI-assisted targeting in Gaza.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to strip the directors of their citizenship, though he lacks the legal power to do so.
• The film is produced by The Guardian and JW Films, with executive production by Oscar-winning filmmaker Jonathan Glazer.

Background

NAZA builds on investigative journalism published by The Guardian, +972 Magazine, and Local Call between 2023 and 2025. The directors, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, previously won the Best Documentary Oscar for No Other Land in 2025. The film’s Venice premiere in September 2026 marked its global debut, following earlier coverage of its addition to the Venice competition lineup in August 2026.

How outlets are covering it

Deadline and Variety emphasize the unprecedented distribution model, highlighting The Guardian’s decision to offer the film for free online after its theatrical run. The Guardian focuses on the film’s journalistic foundation and the political backlash, including threats from Israeli officials. The New Yorker provides a detailed analysis of the film’s content, noting its reliance on anonymous sources and its comparison to Claude Lanzmann’s Shoah. While all sources agree on the film’s impact, they differ in emphasis: Deadline and Variety focus on the release logistics, The Guardian on the political context, and The New Yorker on the film’s artistic and ethical dimensions.

Why it matters

The release of NAZA highlights the growing tension between independent journalism and state power, as well as the role of documentary film in exposing military practices. The free online release aims to maximize global access, while the political backlash in Israel underscores the film’s provocative nature and the risks faced by its creators.

What to watch

The film will expand to Los Angeles and other key U.S. markets on October 9, followed by a national rollout. The Guardian is exploring ways to show the film in the occupied Palestinian territories, and the political fallout in Israel may continue to escalate as the film gains wider distribution.