Palestinian-Israeli film No Other Land makes history at the Oscars
The Oscars are always significant, but the recently held 97th Academy Awards were particularly special for Arabs around the world. This year, it wasn't just about the nominations but a celebration of representation, storytelling and historic achievements. One film that shone on the awards night was No Other Land , which took home one of the evening's biggest accolades.
No Other Land was awarded the Best Documentary at the Oscars 2025. The documentary is a collaboration between an Israeli and Palestinian filmmaker, which tells the harrowing yet resilient story of Palestinian activists fighting to protect their communities. Directed by Palestinian activist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, the film offers a collaboration between two sides of a deeply rooted conflict. It follows Basel's journey as he documents the destruction of his hometown while risking arrest, eventually joining forces with Yuval to amplify his story.
When Basel and Yuval took the stage to accept the award, their speech was nothing short of powerful. Basel called for an end to the 'ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people,' while Yuval emphasised the importance of Israeli and Palestinian unity in sharing this narrative. This win was historic, not just because it marked the first-ever Oscar for Palestine, but also because it shed light on an ongoing struggle through raw, unfiltered storytelling.
The night wasn't just about No Other Land . Arab filmmakers and creatives made waves across multiple categories. Egyptian filmmaker Ibrahim Nash'at's Hollywood Gate was another documentary that was part of the running, while Palestinian filmmaker Rashid Masharawi backed From Ground Zero also made the cut. Mohammed Almughanni's An Orange from Jaffa — a live-action short film — also brought Palestinian storytelling to the forefront.
Beyond the awards, Arab influence extended to the fashion scene as well. Middle Eastern designers, including big names such as Saudi couturier Mohammed Ashi, Lebanese icons Elie Saab and Zuhair Murad, and Egyptian-led label Marmar Halim dressed A-list celebrities.
From groundbreaking wins to red carpet moments, Arabs truly made history at the Oscars 2025. With growing recognition, this year's Academy Awards were not just a win for individuals but for the entire community that has long been pushing for representation.
GO: Visit www.oscars.org for more information.
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