Top things to know
- The documentary 'NAZA' received a 25-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival.
- The film was directed by Oscar winners Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor.
- It features testimonies from 24 anonymous Israeli military and intelligence whistleblowers detailing AI-assisted targeting in Gaza.
- The documentary is the only one competing for the Golden Lion award at the festival.
An Israeli documentary detailing the use of artificial intelligence to facilitate mass civilian killings in Gaza received a record-breaking standing ovation at its world premiere. Titled 'NAZA', the film was unveiled on Thursday at the Venice Film Festival, where it drew a remarkable 25-minute ovation from the audience, marking a historic high for the festival.
Directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor—the filmmakers behind the Oscar-winning documentary 'No Other Land'—'NAZA' exposes how mass civilian deaths were routinely factored into military targeting decisions. The documentary features candid interviews with 24 anonymous Israeli military and intelligence whistleblowers who describe the systematic employment of AI tools to identify targets and execute airstrikes on homes with families inside.
The project's title references an Israeli military acronym utilized as shorthand for anticipated civilian casualties. Produced by The Guardian alongside the production team behind 'The Zone of Interest', the documentary stands as the sole film in its category competing for the prestigious Golden Lion award at this year's festival.
Footage for the feature was gathered over a span of three years through covert filming on rooftops across Tel Aviv, utilizing digital alterations to protect the identities of the sources. The production builds upon investigative reporting conducted between 2023 and 2025 by outlets including Local Call, +972 Magazine, and The Guardian.