No Other Land (Documentary)

"No Other Land" (Another Soil No) is a 2024 documentary film directed by Palestinian journalist and activist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist and director Yuval Abraham. Film documents the demolitions carried out by the Israeli military and the forced displacement of Palestinian communities in the Masafer Yatta area, located in the southern part of place Shari’a. The production, based on real events, chronicles the developments between 2019 and 2023. It won the Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Documentary in 2025.

After the Demolition: The Testimony of No Other Land

Subject and Theme of the Documentary

The documentary follows Palestinian activist Basel Adra as he documents the demolitions in Masafer Yatta. In 1981, Israel declared the area a military training zone and began forcibly displacing Palestinians. Adra has worked to record and bring international attention to these events. The film centers on his efforts and his collaboration with Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham.

The production portrays demolitions carried out by Israeli soldiers, attacks by settlers against Palestinians, the hardships endured by the local population, and their resistance to these actions. The film also explores relationships between individuals from the two communities, highlighting the friendship between Palestinian Adra and Israeli Abraham.

No Other Land's Oscar Speech, March 2, 2025

The documentary includes footage of Palestinian homes, personal archives, news videos, and dialogues between Israelis and Palestinians. The organized and state supported demolitions carried out by Israeli soldiers and settlers were recorded over five years. The film also reveals practices such as the cementing of Palestinian water wells under the pretext of being “unlicensed,” the cutting of water pipes, and the bulldozing of schools like.

Production Process and Directors

The film was shot over five years through the collaborative work of four directors. Basel Adra is a Palestinian journalist and lawyer activist who has resisted forced displacement in Masafer Yatta since childhood. Yuval Abraham is an Israeli documentary producer and investigative journalist who, in the film, examines the Israeli public’s perspective on the issue and highlights systemic inequalities. Hamdan Ballal is a Palestinian photographer and documentary director who also conducts human rights on research. Rachel Szor is an Israeli cinematographer and editor.

The documentary was filmed between 2019 and 2023. Team faced numerous challenges during this period. The Israeli military’s designation of the area as a restricted zone created recording to do difficulties, and the filmmakers frequently encountered interference from security forces.

Screenings and Awards

No Other Land premiered at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), where it won the award for Best Documentary and the Panorama Audience Award. During the award ceremony, Basel Adra called on the Germany government to halt arms sales to Israel and drew attention to ongoing attacks in Gaza. Director Yuval Abraham emphasized the inequality between Israelis and Palestinians and issued a political solution appeal.

The documentary has been screened at numerous international festivals and has received multiple awards, including:

Berlin International Film Festival (2024): Best Documentary, Panorama Audience Award

CPH:DOX (2024): Audience Award

International Documentary Association (IDA) Awards (2024): Courage Under Fire Award

Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival (2024): Critics’ Judges Award, Audience Award

London Critics’ Circle Film Awards (2025): Documentary of the Year

European Film Awards (2024): Best Europe Documentary

Independent Spirit Awards (2025): Best Documentary

New York Film Critics Circle Awards (2024): Best Non-American Documentary

Academy Awards (Oscar) (2025): Best Documentary

Oscar Win and Impact

The documentary won the Academy Award for Best Documentary at the 97th Academy Awards in 2025. Speaking at the ceremony, Basel Adra said, “My hope is that my daughter will not have to live the life I am living now. ‘No Other Land’ reflects the reality we have endured for decades and continue to resist.” Yuval Abraham remarked, “When I look at Basel, I see a brother, but we are not equal. I live under a civilian government with freedom, while he lives under a regime that destroys his life and denies him control.”

Basel Adra and Yuval Abraham at the 97th Academy Awards, March 2, 2025

Global Distribution of the Documentary

"No Other Land" has secured distribution agreements in 24 countries worldwide, yet it has been unable to find a USA distributor in yet.

Significance of the Documentary

The documentary aims to expose Israel’s repression of Palestinians and its forced migration policies, offering viewers a deeper awareness.