The Venice-winning documentary opened at No. 1 in Italy, attracting more than 60,000 viewers on its first day.
Gaza documentary NAZA has topped the Italian box office, outperforming the re-release of Avengers: Endgame Encore.
The documentary earned €451,872 on its opening day in Italy. It attracted more than 60,000 viewers across hundreds of cinemas. The film ranked ahead of Avengers: Endgame Encore in the daily box-office chart.
The strong opening came despite NAZA being a documentary rather than a conventional commercial release. Several screenings had already sold out before its theatrical debut.
NAZA Wins Special Jury Prize at Venice
NAZA was directed by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. Both filmmakers were also part of the team behind the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land.
The film received the Special Jury Prize at the 2026 Venice Film Festival. It was the only documentary competing in the festival’s main competition.
NAZA runs for around 80 minutes. The filmmakers shot much of the documentary at night on rooftops in Tel Aviv.
Documentary Features 24 Israeli Witnesses
The film includes testimony from 24 Israeli military intelligence officers and soldiers. Their identities remain protected through digitally altered faces and voices.
According to the film’s official synopsis, the participants discuss military targeting systems and operations in Gaza. The documentary also examines the use of artificial intelligence and automated surveillance in targeting decisions.
The filmmakers say the documentary examines systems they argue contributed to civilian deaths in Gaza. These claims are presented through the testimony and reporting featured in the film.
NAZA Extends Its Italian Theatrical Run
The documentary initially received a three-day theatrical release in Italy from September 28 to September 30.
Strong audience demand has now extended its cinema run. Reports said the film continued screening beyond the original event dates after its strong opening and sold-out shows.
By September 29, reports placed NAZA’s cumulative Italian box-office earnings at around €1.1 million after two days. Avengers: Endgame Encore remained behind the documentary during the same period.
Global Release Planned
NAZA is also preparing for a wider international release. The documentary is scheduled to screen in multiple territories during October.
Its Italian performance has drawn attention because of the contrast between a politically focused documentary and a major Marvel franchise re-release.
The filmmakers have said the project aims to examine how military systems operate during the Gaza war. Its strong theatrical response in Italy has added another chapter to the film’s festival journey.
