Palestinian Filmmakers praise NATAS for upholding Bisan Owda's Emmy nomination

Palestinian filmmakers have commended the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) for resisting pressure and upholding Bisan Owda's 2024 Emmy nomination for the documentary "It's Bisan From Gaza and I'm Still Alive." The film, narrated by the Palestinian journalist, sheds light on the resilience of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation in Gaza.

The filmmakers see the attempted censorship of Owda's film as part of a broader effort to silence Palestinian voices and deny them the right to share their stories. They emphasize the power of cinema in shaping narratives and decry the dehumanization of Palestinians that often pervades Western media.

The Emmy nomination for Owda's film was initially welcomed as a sign of progress towards a more ethical representation of Palestinians. However, the subsequent censorship attempt serves as a reminder of the entrenched anti-Palestinian bias in the industry.

The filmmakers call on their international colleagues to speak out against the erasure and dehumanization of Palestinians, urging them to avoid complicity with production companies that perpetuate harmful narratives. They underscore the urgency of the situation, highlighting the dangers of dehumanization not only for Palestinians but for marginalized communities worldwide.