AJ+ Documentary “It’s Bisan From Gaza and I’m Still Alive” Wins Emmy Amid Controversy
The AJ+ documentary, “It’s Bisan From Gaza and I’m Still Alive,” by Palestinian journalist and filmmaker Bisan Owda, has won the prestigious Emmy award for Outstanding Hard News Feature Story—Short Form. The award was presented during the 45th Annual News & Documentary Emmys, organized by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
The short-form documentary, which tells the story of Owda’s experiences in Gaza, had earlier sparked controversy following its Emmy nomination.
A U.S.-based nonprofit, Creative Community For Peace, had called for the nomination to be revoked, citing concerns over Owda’s alleged ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States.
The call for action was supported by prominent Hollywood figures, including Debra Messing, Sherry Lansing, and Haim Saban.
Despite the controversy, the film’s recognition at the Emmy Awards highlights its impact in shedding light on the realities of life in Gaza, as told through Owda’s personal lens as a journalist and activist.
The documentary’s win underscores the ongoing global conversation about media representation and the role of filmmakers in sharing stories from conflict zones.
