Watermelon Pictures, a distributor focused on Palestinian and Arab cinema, has secured all North American distribution rights for “Thirteen in Gaza,” the narrative feature directorial debut of Palestinian filmmaker Hosam Abu Dan. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in the TIFF Centerpiece section earlier this month.
The coming-of-age drama centers on Raghad, a 13-year-old girl portrayed by Mary Ziyara who has lost her home and family members in a bombing attack. She now resides in a displacement camp in Gaza alongside her father, played by Feras Al Masri. The narrative explores how Raghad navigates adolescence while contending with the loss of privacy, security, and the ordinary experiences of childhood, while her father confronts difficult choices in attempting to protect her and ensure their survival.
“Thirteen in Gaza” was filmed entirely within the Gaza Strip, marking the first narrative feature to be shot and produced in the region in 12 years and the first since the 2023 war began. The production was completed by an entirely Palestinian crew, including producer and editor Abu Dan, cinematographer Yousef Al Mashharawi, and screenwriter Khalil Al Muzayyen. According to producers, the production team survived an Israeli airstrike during filming. The entire film was shot on two memory cards.
Munir Atalla, Head of Production and Acquisitions for Watermelon Pictures, negotiated the acquisition with Executive Producer Hanna Atallah on behalf of the filmmaking team. Atalla described the film as “extraordinary,” highlighting its exploration of childhood, family bonds, and human resilience. The distributor plans to announce its release strategy for the film in coming months.
Watermelon Pictures, launched in 2024, has established itself as a distributor for Palestinian and Arab filmmakers, handling releases including “From Ground Zero,” “Palestine 36,” “All That’s Left of You,” and the Oscar-nominated “The Voice of Hind Rajab.”
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