Ahmed Hassouna

"From Ground Zero" is a compelling project that brings together 22 short films created by talented filmmakers from Gaza. Launched by Rashid Masharawi, a notable Palestinian filmmaker, the initiative emerged amid the backdrop of conflict, aiming to provide a platform for young artists to express themselves through their craft. Each film, ranging from 3 to 7 minutes, presents a unique perspective on the current reality in Gaza. The project captures the diverse experiences of life in the Palestinian enclave, including the challenges, tragedies, and moments of resilience faced by its people. With a mix of genres such as fiction, documentary, docu-fiction, animation, and experimental cinema, "From Ground Zero" showcases a rich tapestry of stories that reflect the sorrow, joy, and hope inherent in Gazan life.

Palestinian filmmaker Ahmad Hassouna says ‘sorry’ to cinema as he puts his dreams of becoming a director aside to document his life under Israeli bombardment. Sorry Cinema is part of From Ground Zero, a collection of 22 short films made in Gaza initiated by Palestinian director Rashid Masharawi to tell the untold stories of the current war on film. From Ground Zero is the official submission of Palestine for the Best International Feature Film category of the 97th Academy Awards in 2025.

Events of the feature film revolve around a group of Palestinian youth who were forced by life circumstances to emigrate from Gaza Strip in 2012, to lose their tracks after boarding a smuggling boat from the shores of Alexandria in Egypt