Lost 2001 Gaza footage nominated for top European film awards

A documentary composed of forgotten footage filmed in Gaza in 2001 has received two major nominations at the European Film Awards. The film, 'With Hassan in Gaza,' offers a raw look at life during the Second Intifada and has gained new relevance following recent events.

A remarkable documentary composed of forgotten footage filmed in the Gaza Strip over two decades ago has garnered major recognition at Europe's most prestigious cinema awards. "With Hassan in Gaza," directed by Palestinian filmmaker Kamal Aljafari, is nominated for both Best European Documentary and Best European Film at the European Film Awards, set to be held on Saturday, January 17, in Berlin, Germany.

A Time Capsule from a Lost Era

The film's raw material originates from a personal journey Aljafari undertook in 2001. Traveling through Gaza with a local guide named Hassan, the filmmaker recorded everyday life—street scenes, market activities, and conversations—on three MiniDV tapes. His original purpose was not to make a film, but to search for a former political prisoner he had known. After returning to his studies in Germany, the tapes were stored away and remained unwatched for more than 20 years until their accidental rediscovery in July 2025.

An Unfiltered Portrait of Life Under Conflict

Aljafari decided to assemble the footage into a documentary without editing or reshaping the original recordings. The result is an unfiltered, real-time portrait of Gaza during the Second Intifada, capturing the severe restrictions on movement and the pervasive impact of military occupation and violence. The film documents the resilience of daily life—people working, traveling, and conversing under immense pressure. Aljafari describes the work as a record of people and places that, in many cases, have since been destroyed or lost.

Critical Acclaim and Deepened Significance

Since its premiere at the Locarno Film Festival in August 2025, where it won the Europa Cinemas Label Award, the film has been hailed by critics. It also received the Special Jury Prize at the Athens Innovative Film Festival. For Aljafari, who splits his time between Berlin and Paris, the rediscovered images have taken on profound new meaning. In light of the extensive devastation and loss of life in Gaza in recent years, the documentary serves as a vital historical and cultural archive, reminding international audiences of the enduring human reality behind the headlines and offering a poignant, artistic perspective on a conflict that continues to demand global attention and a just resolution.