EXCLUSIVE: Production and distribution company Watermelon Pictures is launching Watermelon+, a streaming service showcasing Palestinian and world cinema.
Watermelon+ will be available to worldwide subscribers from May 8, and will host original productions, new releases and series alongside classic titles. Subscriptions are priced at $7.99 for a month, or $79.99 annually.
US-based Watermelon Pictures launched last year, aiming to “deliver powerful, entertaining stories and amplifying bold voices from marginalised and underrepresented communities”, according to the Watermelon Pictures team.
The company is founded by co-CEOs and brothers Badie Ali and Hamza Ali; with Alana Hadid, sister of supermodels Bella and Gigi Hadid, as creative director.
It has conducted US theatrical releases for documentary The Encampments, chronicling the Columbia University Gaza Solidarity Encampment; and Farah Nabulsi’s Palestinian thriller The Teacher.
The Teacher and Nabulsi’s Oscar-nominated short The Present will be available on Watermelon+ from launch, with The Encampments arriving later this summer.
Further library titles will include From Ground Zero, Palestine’s Oscar submission that was executive produced by Michael Moore and made the 10-strong shortlist for the international feature award; and Oscar nominees Omar, Theeb and Five Broken Cameras.
“Our vision is to grow Watermelon+ into a must-have platform for underserved communities everywhere, a true home for bold, necessary storytelling that deserves to be seen,” said Badie. “Watermelon+ isn’t just a platform for films — it’s a launchpad for the next generation of underserved artists whose stories will shape the future. It’s not only a preservation of our past; it’s fuel for our future,” added Hamza.
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