At the 9thEl Gouna Film Festival Citizen Osama wins two awards.

Citizen Osama is poignant homage to all the Palestinian journalists, and especially to the courageous journalists of Gaza, who were targeted by the Israeli occupation forces and who sacrificed their lives to document events as they unfolded.

Directed by Ahmed Hassouna the documentary follows Osama., a journalist in Northern Gaza. The filmmaker maintains a careful balance of sentiment and objectivity, producing a lucid and impactful portrayal of current events. He captures the duality of Osama’s life: wielding his camera while fighting for survival, not just for himself, but for his family.

The film opens with the birth of Osama's son, underscoring the stark contrast between life and death, the harsh realities that must be depicted through a powerful, combative lens of resistance. Osama runs through rubble and chaos, documenting the devastation around him, as he records his observations amid the sounds of explosions and cries for help. What unfolds is a grim reality that often goes unseen in mainstream news. The director follows Osama in real-time as he counts the victims and the homes reduced to rubble, with approximately seventy lives lost, most of them children. He searches for water for his family. Baby formula is nearly impossible to find, forcing him to feed his three-month-old with a syringe of water and sugar.

As time passes, the child grows, while news and politics weave in and out of discourse. Announcements of ceasefires are never genuine, as the bombs continue to rain down. The struggle claims the lives of Osama's colleagues. These killings do not appear random; they seem targeted. One of his friends dies in a car, surrounded by the backdrop of funerals and the company of fellow journalists. The visuals convey an unyielding war, with parachutes of food falling from the sky, a symbol of hope amid despair. Osama’s experiences resonate with viewers, evoking pain, frustration, and a deep emotional empathy that compels us to ask: what more must we witness, and what can we do to help?

This is a stark reminder of the ongoing massacre that has persisted for years. Gaza has become one of the deadliest conflicts for journalists, surpassing even the Vietnam War, the Balkan Wars, and the war in Afghanistan, according to research. Since the onset of the conflict, over 300 journalists and media workers have been killed in the Gaza Strip, and the toll continues to rise as new reports of violence emerge weekly.

Citizen Osama recently won two awards at the El Gouna Film Festival, in Egypt. Meanwhile, Palestinian filmmaker Ahmed Hassouna is stuck in Gaza, his film is being represented by producer Rashid Masharawi, a well-known name in Palestinian cinema. I met Rashid Masharawi in El Gouna, and he shared his thoughts on the film Naza, highlighting how Palestinian filmmakers have been telling this story for years. Since the conflict began, Rashid has produced 32 films about Gaza, starting from the very beginning. He sees Naza as an alternative viewpoint, showing things from the Israeli side, which helps the world grasp the situation better. He also talked about the obstacles Palestinian filmmakers face, trying to get their films into big festivals like Cannes, Toronto, and Berlin to change the narrative. Even with the acknowledgment of serious crimes against humanity, he feels that real change is still out of reach. Rashid hopes that more conversations about Gaza, especially with a different America, could lead to some progress. Plus, Citizen Osama is set to represent Palestine at the Oscars. Last year's standout moment featured Javier Bardem passionately saying, “No to war, and Free Palestine,” during his acceptance speech.

On top of that, Citizen Osama has been shortlisted for the European Film Academy and is making the rounds at various festivals (including the Bristol Palestinian Film Festival, happening from November 25 to December 6). The recognition of Citizen Osama highlights how important Palestinian stories are becoming in global cinema. As filmmakers like Rashid Masharawi continue to fight for visibility and understanding, there’s hope that their stories will spark conversations, challenge perceptions, and help people understand the complex realities in Gaza

  also talked about the obstacles Palestinian filmmakers face, trying to get their films into big festivals like Cannes, Toronto, and Berlin to change the narrative. Even with the acknowledgment of serious crimes against humanity, he feels that real change is still out of reach.