Neon plans to expand the theatrical footprint for the documentary NAZA to support an awards-season campaign. This move follows the film’s successful independent launch in the U.S.
Directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor—who were part of the directing team for the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land—NAZA investigates the Israeli military’s deployment of artificial intelligence and automated surveillance systems within Gaza. The title itself is an acronym for the Hebrew military term “Nezek Agavi,” which translates to collateral damage.
The film’s entry into the Neon portfolio follows a period of significant momentum on the festival circuit and at the specialty box office. Since its limited self-distributed release on September 30, the documentary has grossed approximately $886,000. Screen Daily reports that Neon now plans to scale this theatrical footprint significantly to bolster its profile ahead of major industry accolades.
Whistleblower Testimony and Critical Reception
At the core of the documentary are testimonies from 24 anonymous Israeli intelligence officers and soldiers. These whistleblowers describe the mechanics of AI-assisted targeting, providing an internal perspective on modern warfare technology that has rarely been documented in such detail. This investigative depth helped the film secure the Special Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival in September 2026, where it received a 25-minute standing ovation, and later earned the Audience Award at the San Sebastian Film Festival.
The project features a high-profile executive production team, including Jonathan Glazer. Glazer’s involvement follows his recent success with The Zone of Interest, further signaling the industry’s serious treatment of the film’s subject matter and craft.
Neon’s immediate strategy involves a nationwide theatrical push, leveraging the film’s current financial performance and critical pedigree. Following this expanded theatrical window, the documentary is scheduled for a unique digital release. The Guardian will host NAZA for free global streaming on its website starting in late November 2026, ensuring the investigative work reaches a broad international audience during the height of the awards cycle.
