Palestine wins first-ever Oscar with documentary on Israel conflict

In a groundbreaking moment at the 2025 Academy Awards, No Other Land, a documentary co-directed by Palestinian journalist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, won Best Documentary Feature. This marks Palestine’s first-ever Oscar win, a historic triumph for the filmmakers and their cause.

The film sheds light on the struggles of Palestinians in Masafer Yatta, a West Bank village facing demolition by Israeli forces. Adra, at the heart of the documentary, risks his safety to document the destruction of his homeland, while Abraham, a Jewish-Israeli journalist, joins him in amplifying the story. The powerful collaboration between Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers stood out among nominees Porcelain War, Sugarcane, Black Box Diaries, and Soundtrack to a Coup d’État.

During an emotional acceptance speech, Adra reflected on the ongoing hardships faced by Palestinians. “About two months ago, I became a father, and my hope for my daughter is that she will not have to live the same life I’m living now, always fearing settler violence, home demolitions, and forced displacements,” he said. “We call on the world to take serious actions to stop the injustice and to stop the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people.”

Abraham echoed Adra’s sentiments, emphasising the inequality that exists between them despite their shared cause.  “When I look at Basel, I see my brother, but we are unequal,” he said. “We live in a regime where I am free under civilian law, while Basel is under military laws that destroy his life.” He also made a plea for an end to the suffering in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages taken on October 7, stating, “There is another way. It’s not too late for life, for the living.”

The film’s victory is particularly significant given the challenges it faced in distribution. While it has secured deals in 24 countries, including the UK and France, it has been largely self-distributed in the US. Earlier in the evening, the filmmakers also showed their support for Palestine on the Oscars red carpet during their interviews, further reinforcing their message.

With No Other Land’s win, the filmmakers hope to spark global conversations about justice, equality, and the urgent need for political solutions in the region.