Halifax Cinema Screens Documentary Naza Amid Criticism From Israel

“We knew that there would be an audience for this film,” said Lee Anne Gillan, Carbon Arc Cinema’s artistic director, as the 72-seat Halifax theatre prepared for additional screenings of the controversial documentary NAZA.

The independent cinema, operating since 2010, has hosted five sold-out shows for the film this month, with a sixth screening scheduled and another showing planned at King’s Theatre in Annapolis Royal, N.S., on Nov. 18, CBC reported.

Directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, NAZA features testimony from soldiers and Israeli military intelligence officers concerning the country’s alleged use of artificial intelligence and data-processing software to identify Hamas targets in Gaza.

The title references the Hebrew term “Nezek Agazi,” which translates to collateral damage in military contexts. Gillan said that the documentary follows strong public interest in Academy Award-winning No Other Land, which was also directed by Abraham, Szor, Basel Adra and Hamdan Ballal.

The documentary premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in September, earning a 25-minute standing ovation, a special jury prize, and best political documentary at the 2026 Critics Choice Documentary Awards. Despite the festival recognition, the film has drawn sharp criticism from the Israel Defense Forces and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“The film's narrative is based on substantial factual errors stemming from a misrepresented and manipulative depiction of reality,” an IDF press release issued in October stated, while questioning the use of anonymous testimony.

Netanyahu posted on X calling for the IDF, Shin Bet, and the country’s Attorney General to investigate the anonymous sources, stating the film defames the state and damages its global standing. MK2 Films, handling press for the project, did not respond to interview requests, while the U.K.-based Guardian newspaper, which produced the film, said it will defend NAZA and its team from attacks or censorship.

“The film presents a false, misleading, and biased plot that defames the State of Israel and the IDF in the world and severely damages Israel's standing,” Netanyahu posted on X, calling for the IDF, Shin Bet, and the country's Attorney General to investigate the anonymous sources.

The political friction surrounding the project spurred the creation of Naza: The Real Story, produced by lawyer and IDF reservist Ariel Averbuch alongside Roi Danino and Hagay Gutman. Averbuch said that the $20,000 self-funded project provides visual evidence and soldier testimonies focusing on Hamas operations in Gaza.

The filmmakers are paying to screen their documentary across North America and Europe, while making it free to watch online. Gillan said she has heard of the response film but has not viewed it, emphasizing that Carbon Arc selected NAZA based on its artistic merit and global interest.

Carbon Arc Cinema in Halifax is screening the film, and King’s Theatre in Annapolis Royal, N.S., will show it on Nov. 18.

Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor directed the documentary.

The film won a special jury prize at the Venice International Film Festival and best political documentary at the 2026 Critics Choice Documentary Awards.