The documentary NAZA, directed by Oscar-winning filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, has set a new record at the Venice Film Festival for the longest-ever standing ovation, with applause lasting 25 minutes. The film, described as 'devastating' and 'unflinching', premiered on Thursday night at the Sala Grande, as the festival neared its closing ceremony on Saturday.
Record-breaking ovation amid rain and solemnity
The ovation took place as rain poured over the Lido, fittingly matching the film's somber tone. According to its synopsis, NAZA exposes 'the systems behind Israel's planned mass killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza', based on testimonies from anonymous intelligence personnel and soldiers. The title 'Naza' comes from the Hebrew phrase Nezek Agavi, used by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) to mean 'collateral damage', indicating the expected number of civilian deaths in an airstrike.
The Israeli directors remained solemn during the extended applause, a departure from the typical emotional displays at Venice premieres. Audience members unfurled Palestinian flags as the lights came up after the screening, which was produced by The Guardian and James Wilson.
Surpassing previous records
NAZA's 25-minute ovation overtakes the record set last year by The Voice of Hind Rajab, which earned just shy of 24 minutes. That docudrama reconstructed the killing of six-year-old Hind Rajab under Israeli fire in Gaza in January 2024, following Palestine Red Crescent Society dispatchers and first responders. It also outstrips the Cannes record holder, Guillermo Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth, which managed 22 minutes at its 2006 premiere.
Critics have praised the film. Next Best Picture called it 'engrossing' and 'essential viewing', while The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw said it was 'casting a chilling light on what is happening now in Gaza'. Screen International described it as 'an urgent, gut-punch doc', and Variety called it 'unflinching' and 'devastating'.
Context within the 2026 festival
NAZA's ovation comfortably exceeds other notable ones during the 2026 edition, including Bunker with Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem at 16 minutes, and Martin McDonagh's Wild Horse Nine at 14 minutes. The film was a late addition to the 21 films in official competition for the Golden Lion, following backlash over the festival having only one film directed by a female filmmaker in that number: Woman Unknown from May el-Toukhy.
Jury president Maggie Gyllenhaal, whose short film Flesh Impact also screened, addressed this inequality at the opening press conference, saying she believed there was 'a systemic problem'. 'It's much harder for women to get their films financed,' she commented. 'Also, could it be possible that the things that women, having had a different experience of being alive in the world, want to make movies about are not always deemed high art?' Other films in competition include Robert Pattinson's Primetime, Danny Boyle's newspaper drama Ink, Netflix's Possible Love, and Bucking Fastard with Kate and Rooney Mara.
NAZA premiered at the Venice Film Festival on September 10. It is yet to announce a UK release date.
