"The Other Gaza" Wins Sunny Side of the Doc Prize at AJB DOC Industry Days in Sarajevo

The AJB DOC Industry Days in Sarajevo brought together filmmakers from the SEE, Caucasus, and MENA regions, offering them a chance to present their projects to industry professionals. Among the many notable pitches, The Other Gaza, directed by Wafa Jamil, took home the Sunny Side of the Doc Prize.

Jean Jacques Peretti, representing Sunny Side of the Doc, handed the prize to Jamil for her film, which was a standout in the main pitch competition. The award includes two market passes for Sunny Side of the Doc 2025, the right to submit a project, and €500 to help with travel expenses.

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The Other Gaza is a personal story directed by Wafa Jamil, who now lives in Stockholm but dreams of showing her 8-year-old daughter the Gaza she left behind years ago. The film explores her family’s life in Gaza, juxtaposing Wafa’s peaceful life in Sweden with the harsh realities her family faces back home.

The documentary is deeply autobiographical, highlighting Jamil’s emotional connection to Gaza despite living abroad. It captures video calls with her family during the ongoing conflict, showing both their resilience and the toll of living under a blockade. The film also revisits Jamil’s trip back to Gaza in 2018 after 18 years, following the death of her sister, Kifah. Her journey sheds light on how families in Gaza strive to maintain a sense of normalcy amidst challenging circumstances.

About AJBDOC Industry Days

AJB DOC Industry Days is an international event aimed at supporting the production and distribution of documentaries from the SEE, Caucasus, and MENA regions. Over three days, 29 projects were pitched, competing for co-production and cash prizes exceeding €120,000, provided by Al Jazeera Documentary, Al Jazeera Balkans, and other partners.