"NAZA" documentary reaches 1.5 million admissions worldwide
The Israeli documentary "NAZA" has logged over 1.5 million theater admissions in 47 territories and earned $13.5 million outside the United States.
"NAZA," the documentary about killings in Gaza that won a special jury prize at the Venice Film Festival, has surpassed 1.5 million theatrical admissions across 47 territories as of Nov. 6, placing it among the most-watched documentaries of the year. The film, directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor—co-directors of the Oscar-winning "No Other Land"—has generated $13.5 million in box-office revenue outside the United States, with an additional $1 million earned domestically.
Italy accounts for the largest share of admissions, with 717,517 tickets sold since its Sept. 29 opening, nearly half of the global total, and the documentary remains on 379 screens. It has topped the Italian box office and ranks third in the country’s documentary history, behind "Fahrenheit 9/11" and "March of the Penguins."
In the United States, the film opened on Sept. 30 through self-distribution by mTuckman Media, and Neon joined as U.S. distributor in late October to expand the release. Admissions in the U.S. and Canada total 83,673.
Dogwoof launched the film in the United Kingdom and Ireland on Oct. 15 with an event screening at the Ritz that was streamed live to 104 additional cinemas, selling more than 7,000 tickets that night. The documentary later played the full Picturehouse circuit and major chains, bringing the U.K. and Ireland total to 102,509 admissions.
In France, the film was released as a 48-hour event, drawing over 82,000 admissions from roughly 500 screenings in more than 260 theaters and topping the box office on both days. Germany reported 83,355 admissions, while Austria recorded 16,521 admissions since its Oct. 1 opening. Spain, Benelux, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia, Poland, Romania, Mexico, Japan, Indonesia and Thailand have also shown the documentary.
The strong ticket sales have coincided with an active awards campaign. Since Venice, "NAZA" has won the audience award at San Sebastián, the critics prize at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, and the New York Critics Circle’s best political documentary award. It is also nominated for best documentary feature at the Gotham Awards, shortlisted by DOC NYC, and listed in the European Film Awards documentary category.