Alef Multimedia and Revolution Films announce that directors Michael Winterbottom and Mohammed Al-Sawaf have begun production on their new narrative feature, “Gaza: Year Zero.” Filming started in early February, following the success of their documentary “Eleven Days in May.”

Set in the Gaza Strip amid widespread destruction, the film follows a 13-year-old boy and his family as they struggle to survive. While fictional, the story is grounded in the lived experiences of Al-Sawaf and his team, offering a humane portrait of war’s impact on individuals while exploring the broader social and political realities of life under siege.

Production is taking place on location in Gaza, led by Al-Sawaf and his crew, with Winterbottom co-directing and editing from London. This hybrid model reflects contemporary global filmmaking. Al-Sawaf notes that limited resources and volatile security conditions continue to pose significant logistical challenges.

Winterbottom, a Golden Bear winner for “In This World” (2003), has a long track record of films addressing displacement and conflict. His previous collaboration with Al-Sawaf, “Eleven Days in May,” memorialized more than 60 children killed in Gaza during an 11-day bombing campaign.

Production and partners
“Gaza: Year Zero” is a British–Palestinian co-production between Revolution Films (Michael Winterbottom, Ben Pearce) and Alef Multimedia (Mohammed Al-Sawaf), with Melissa Parmenter as executive producer and Ibrahim Al-Atallah as director of photography.

Distribution
French distributor Le Pacte has acquired worldwide rights, including distribution in France.