The acquisition marks a significant move for Watermelon Pictures, which launched in 2024 and has quickly established itself as a key player in bringing diverse voices from the region to a wider audience. The deal, negotiated by Munir Atalla, Head of Production and Acquisitions for Watermelon Pictures, and Executive Producer Hanna Atallah on behalf of the film team, highlights the growing interest in stories from underrepresented cinematic landscapes.
'Thirteen in Gaza' is a deeply moving coming-of-age drama that centers on Raghad, a 13-year-old girl portrayed by Mary Ziyara, who is navigating adolescence in the wake of immense personal loss. Having lost her home and much of her family in a bombing, Raghad now lives in a displacement camp in Gaza with her father, played by Feras Al Masri. The film explores the challenges of growing up amidst conditions where basic freedoms, privacy, and security are constantly under threat, as Raghad's father grapples with difficult choices to ensure their survival.
What makes 'Thirteen in Gaza' particularly remarkable is its production. It stands as the first narrative feature film to be entirely shot and produced within the Gaza Strip in 12 years, and notably, the first since the devastating conflict began in 2023. The film was brought to life by an entirely Palestinian production team, who reportedly endured an Israeli airstrike during the making of the movie. Remarkably, the entire film was captured on just two memory cards, a testament to the crew's dedication and resourcefulness under extreme conditions.
Hosam Abu Dan, a Palestinian filmmaker based in Gaza, makes his narrative feature directorial debut with this film, having previously helmed documentary and television projects. He also produced and edited the film from a screenplay penned by Khalil Al Muzayyen, with Yousef Al Mashharawi serving as cinematographer. New Scene for Media Production was the company behind the film.
Munir Atalla praised the film, stating, "'Thirteen in Gaza' is an extraordinary film about childhood, family and the human need to keep living even when ordinary life has been taken away." This sentiment perfectly encapsulates the film's core message of resilience and humanity in the face of adversity.
Watermelon Pictures has quickly built a reputation for championing impactful Palestinian and Arab cinema, with its slate already including titles like 'From Ground Zero', 'Palestine 36', 'All That’s Left of You', and the Oscar-nominated 'The Voice of Hind Rajab'. The distributor plans to unveil its release strategy for 'Thirteen in Gaza' in the coming months, promising to bring this vital story to audiences across North America.