The film No Other Land, which highlights the struggles of Palestinians fighting to protect their homes from Israeli military demolitions, won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature at the 2025 Academy Awards.

The collaboration between Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers triumphed over other nominees, including Porcelain War, Sugarcane, Black Box Diaries, and Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat.

Produced between 2019 and 2023, the documentary follows activist Basel Adra as he documents the destruction of his hometown, Masafer Yatta, which the Israeli military is repurposing as a training zone.

Adra’s story gains traction after he forms a partnership with Jewish-Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, who helps amplify his message.

Read more

Film on Israel’s 1948 war shows Palestinian agony: director

97th Academy Awards: ‘Anora’ sweeps five awards at Oscars 2025

Oscars in pictures: celebrities galore, winners shine at 97th Academy Awards

Upon accepting the award, Adra expressed hope for a better future for his daughter, emphasising the fears faced by Palestinians under occupation. He called for “urgent action” to address what he described as “ethnic cleansing.”

Abraham echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need for a political solution that recognises the rights of both communities while criticising US foreign policy that “hinders progress.”

No Other Land has garnered significant recognition, having also won awards at the Berlin International Film Festival and the New York Film Critics Circle.

The film primarily utilizes Adra’s personal camcorder footage, showcasing the harsh realities faced by residents as they confront the destruction of their homes and community.