‘Once Upon a Time in Gaza' by Nasser brothers to screen four times at Cannes 2025
The film is an international co-production between France, Palestine, Germany, Portugal, Qatar and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Tarzan and Arab Nasser's latest feature, Once Upon a Time in Gaza, is set to make a notable impact at the 78th Cannes Film Festival as part of the Un Certain Regard section, with four scheduled screenings between May 19 and May 21, 2025.
The film will hold its world premiere on May 19 at 11 AM at Salle Debussy. It will continue with three additional screenings: on May 20 at 1:15 PM at Salle Bazin, again that same day at 2 PM at Cinema Aurore, and finally on May 21 at 9:15 AM at Cineum Screen X.
A dark comedy with sharp social commentary, Once Upon a Time in Gaza tells the story of Yahya, a young student who strikes up an unlikely friendship with Osama, a warm-hearted yet streetwise restaurant owner. The duo begins trafficking drugs under the cover of delivering falafel sandwiches, but soon find themselves entangled in a dangerous confrontation with a corrupt police officer whose unchecked ego threatens to unravel their operation.
This international co-production brings together the creative resources of France, Palestine, Germany, Portugal, Qatar and Jordan. The film features Nader Abd Alhay, recognised for his role in Farah on Netflix; Ramzi Maqdisi, known from the Berlinale-winning documentary Ghost Hunting; and Majd Eid, who appeared in the Cannes-winning Holy Spider. The production also boasts award-winning cinematographer Christophe Graillot (Ride Above) and editor Sophie Reine, a César Award winner for The First Day of the Rest of Your Life.
Once Upon a Time in Gaza is directed by the Nasser Brothers from a screenplay co-written with Amer Nasser and Marie Legrand. It is produced by Rani Massalha and Marie Legrand of Les Films du Tambour and Muriel Merlin of Lyly Productions. The film is also co-produced by Rise Studios (Amanda Turnbull and Ziad Srouji), Made in Palestine Project (Rashid Abdelhamid), Red Balloon Film, Riva Filmproduktion, Ukbar Filmes, and executive producers Jordan Pioneers Multi Media & Slate Films Services, along with A.A. Films, Cocoon Films, Radio e Televisão de Portugal, and Kometa.
Distribution across the Arab world is handled by MAD Distribution, with international sales managed by The Party Film Sales. Dulac Distribution oversees the film's release in France.
Throughout its development, the film received significant institutional backing, including support from Aide aux Cinémas du Monde – CNC, Eurimages, the Doha Film Institute, the Royal Film Commission – Jordan Film Fund, and several European regional funds.
The Nasser brothers, born in Gaza in 1988, are no strangers to Cannes. Their short film Condom Lead was selected for the festival's main competition in 2013. Their debut feature Dégradé premiered at Cannes Critics' Week, and their second film, Gaza Mon Amour, had its debut at the Venice International Film Festival and was Palestine's official submission to the 2021 Academy Awards.
With Once Upon a Time in Gaza, the Nasser brothers continue to elevate Palestinian cinema on the international stage, bringing a unique blend of humour, heart and harsh reality to one of the world's most prestigious film festivals.
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