A Palestinian Oscar nominee, "From Ground Zero" presents twenty-two short stories directly from the Gaza Strip. Created by young Palestinian filmmakers—both newcomers and seasoned directors—these creative documentaries, animations, and hybrid forms reveal a reality far removed from mainstream media portrayals. Many of the works captivate with remarkable craftsmanship, while others convey a raw sincerity that may feel naïve yet grounded in the limitations of their circumstances. Whether focusing on community suffering or individual struggles, each story offers us an intimate look into the lives of Gaza’s besieged residents—what they fear, how they contend with hunger, scarcity of water and medicine, and the realities of raising children amid conflict. Can cinema capture their perspective for the world? "From Ground Zero" is a fevered attempt to command attention to the plight of people striving to survive when control over their fate has been stripped away. 

Konrad Wirkowski