A new documentary about Israel’s use of AI-assisted military systems drew a dramatic reaction at the Venice Film Festival Thursday, receiving an unprecedented standing ovation that ran for 24.5 minutes. The film, NAZA, directed by Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham, screened amid the festival’s lineup in Venice, Italy.
The film centers on allegations that AI-enabled weapons targeting Palestinian civilians in Gaza are used by Israel, according to the documentary’s focus. The debut prompted spectators to rise and stay on their feet for an extended interval, described by organizers and attendees as the longest standing ovation ever recorded at the festival.
Images accompanying the premiere show Szor and Abraham at the event, with the directors photographed during the photo call at the festival. The release notes emphasize the lengthy reception as a key moment of the Venice edition.
No additional details about the film’s content beyond the stated focus on AI-assisted military systems and Palestinian casualties are included in the report. The article confirms the location of the premiere as Venice, Italy, and identifies the filmmakers as Szor and Abraham. The timing of the ovation is described relative to the Thursday premiere, aligning with the festival’s ongoing schedule.