EXCLUSIVE: Watermelon Pictures has acquired US rights to Once Upon A Time In Gaza, which premiered in Cannes Un Certain Regard and earned Palestinian filmmaking duo Tarzan and Arab Nasser the best directing award.
Munir Atalla, head of production and acquisitions at Watermelon Pictures, negotiated the deal with Samuel Blanc of Party Film Sales.
Watermelon plans an early 2026 theatrical release for Once Upon A Time In Gaza, the 2007-set story that follows student Yahya and charismatic restaurant owner Osama as they start to peddle drugs while delivering falafel sandwiches. Things go wrong when they cross paths with a corrupt police officer. Nader Abd Alhay, Ramzi Maqdisi, and Majd Eid star.
‘Once Upon A Time In Gaza’ review
The comedy drama has screened at major festivals including Melbourne, Rome, Sao Paulo, Warsaw, Hamburg, and Helsinki. The Nasser brothers’ debut feature Dégradé premiered in Cannes Critics’ Week in 2015 and they followed that up with Venice selection and Palestininan Oscar submission Gaza Mon Amour in 2020.
“Tarzan and Arab Nasser have built a cinematic universe entirely their own – one that transforms survival into art,” said Atalla. “We’re honoured to bring their most daring work yet to audiences across North America.” Andrew Smith of Party Film Sales added: “The Nasser brothers have crafted a film that transcends borders – one that reminds us how humour can survive even in dark times. Watermelon Pictures is the ideal partner to champion that vision.”
Rani Massalha, Marie Legrand, Muriel Merlin, and Rashid Abdelhamid produced Once Upon A Time In Gaza, which was co-produced with Rise Studios, Made in Palestine Project, Red Balloon Film Riva Filmproduktion, and Ukbar Filmes. Jordan Pioneers Multi Media & Slate Films Services served as executive producer in association with A. A. Films, Cocoon Films, Radio e Televisao De Portugal, and Kometa.
The film received support from Aide aux Cinémas du Monde –CNC, Eurimages, Moin Film Fund Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein, Fundo CNC-Ica De Apoio A Coproducao Franco-Portuguesa, the Doha Film Institute, the Royal Film Commission’s Jordan Film Fund, and Ciclic And Région Centre-Val De Loire.
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