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Poster for From Ground Zero

From Ground Zero

Seen it?

2025 | 117 min | Documentary, Drama, Animation

Saturday Specialearly rating

Why it’s a Saturday Special

Critics loved it (98% on Rotten Tomatoes), despite a box office flop. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for animation lovers and the curious. If you loved Apollo 11 or David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet, start here.
The mood
Feel-good, eye-opening.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 57 min.
What might put you off
  • No age rating on record, so check it first for young kids.
  • It's in another language, so expect subtitles (or a dub).

"From Ground Zero" is a compelling project that brings together 22 short films created by talented filmmakers from Gaza. Launched by Rashid Masharawi, a notable Palestinian filmmaker, the initiative emerged amid the backdrop of conflict, aiming to provide a platform for young artists to express themselves through their craft. Each film, ranging from 3 to 7 minutes, presents a unique perspective on the current reality in Gaza. The project captures the diverse experiences of life in the Palestinian enclave, including the challenges, tragedies, and moments of resilience faced by its people. With a mix of genres such as fiction, documentary, docu-fiction, animation, and experimental cinema, "From Ground Zero" showcases a rich tapestry of stories that reflect the sorrow, joy, and hope inherent in Gazan life.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 83 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsBelow par

    Nominated for 1 Oscar.

  • Box office & staying powerWeak

    $330K worldwide

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 20K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Wissam Moussa, Khamis Masharawi, Basil El Maqousi, Mahdi Kreirah, Karim Satoum, Rabab Khamis, Alaa Damo, Ahmed Al Danaf, Mustafa Al Nabih, Etimad Washah, Ala'a Islam Ayoub, Tamer Nijim, Mustafa Kolab, Islam Al Zeriei, Bashar Al Babisi, Neda'a Abu Hassnah, Muhammad Al Sharif, Aws Al-Banna, Nidal Damo, Rima Mahmoud, Hana Eleiwa, Ahmed Hassouna

  • Alaa NijimSelf / The Teacher
  • Aws Al-BannaSelf
  • Kamel MohammadSelf / Ahmad / The Driver
  • Karim SatoumSelf
  • Nidal DamoSelf
  • Thaer Abu ZubaidaSelf / Man 1
  • Yahya SaadSelf
  • Ranin AlzerieiSelf
  • Nour Al SharifNour
  • Muhammad GhurizMan 2