We are WATERMELON PICTURES, a new US-based, film company created and owned by Palestinian visionaries. Ask us Anything, starting Thurs, 4/25 at 10am PT.

[u/WatermelonPicsMovies]

We are Alana Hadid and Badie and Hamza Ali, the Creative Director and Founders of the Palestinian-owned film label Watermelon Pictures.

Rooted in Palestinian culture and heritage, Watermelon Pictures is a groundbreaking film distribution company set to revolutionize the cinematic landscape. With a firm commitment to justice, humanity, and the liberation of all people, Watermelon Pictures is more than a distribution label – it is a platform for change. We are a production company that allows us to control our own narrative, a distribution company to share our stories with the world and a hub to develop our stories and talent, and produce films that entertain, educate, and inspire. We’re building a space for artists who dare to picture liberation.

From the river to the screen, Palestine will be seen.

Aaaand we're back! Now that Reddit is back up.....Ask us anything! We'll include our names, so you know who is answering each question.

UPDATE: THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to ask us a question today. We've gotta run for now, but will try to hop back on tomorrow to get to some more of these. In the meantime, please follow Watermelon Pictures for the latest.

[u/Ambitious-Roof2196]

Congratulations!

[u/PresentMammoth5188]

How can we work with y’all if we are filmmakers too (or even other roles like social media, etc)? Any applications or anything like that?

Thank you SO much for each of your incredible hard work!! Our world is a better place because of you! Plus, the film industry DESPERATELY needs more ethical studios/production companies 😅😅😅

[u/WatermelonPicsMovies → u/PresentMammoth5188]

Hi this is Hamza: Absolutely! Part of our mission is to connect with the talented community that we have. Please fill out the form on our website www.watermelonpictures.com

[u/purplebanana375]

Have you experienced any pushback from the Zionist lobbies in the film industry and how have you combatted this? Wishing you guys all the best and thank you for what you do 🇵🇸🍉❤️

[u/WatermelonPicsMovies → u/purplebanana375]

Hi this is Badie Ali, cofounder of Watermelon. At this point we have not experienced any backlash, no.

[u/PresentMammoth5188 → u/WatermelonPicsMovies]

Wow surprised, but so glad you haven't had to endure those extra pressures!

[u/sum1tup]

How does your Palestinian identity influence the stories you choose to tell through your films?
(From _Mcsauce_ on discord)

[u/WatermelonPicsMovies → u/sum1tup]

Alana: Because we're Palestinian we know exactly how little people know and understand about us.

Hamza: We want to tell stories about Palestine that aren't only about our struggle.

[u/skrynois]

Hello! Can you give us an insight into some of your upcoming projects?

[u/WatermelonPicsMovies → u/skrynois]

Hamza: Our first release is Walled off by Vin Arfuso which you can see May 3rd on all major digital platforms, beyond that, we have a very exciting slate coming soon, you'll have to follow us on socials for updates

[u/sum1tup]

How difficult is it making films in the occupied West Bank?
(Stay safe in all of your endeavors)

[u/WatermelonPicsMovies → u/sum1tup]

Hi this is Alana, I think to answer that question, you should watch the movie WALLED OFF. They definitely cover that question at length. They talk about how difficult it is to make a movie in the West Bank

[u/godscocksleeve]

How is it to deal with the constant shifting attention towards Palestine? It often isn't a topic most people talk about on a global stage, or even think about, and now it suddenly is again. But will it stay that way? Probably not. How do you deal with that? How should people deal with that?

[u/WatermelonPicsMovies → u/godscocksleeve]

Alana: Good question because that is a fear that Palestinians constant have: when are people going to stop paying attention? It's also really nice to see that the pressure isn't just on Palestine anymore to continue the conversation. There are so many allies to make sure noone stops talking bout Palestine.

Hamza: traditionally in the past, this has happened but we feel this time it's different and we won't let their sacrifices be for nothing.

Badie: and this is why we established Watermelon! -To make sure this topic is not buried and that it always remains at the forefront.

[u/sum1tup]

Will you make an accurate movie about one of the dozens of massacres committed by Zionist forces towards Palestinian natives in 1948?
(Asked by Olympus on Discord)

[u/WatermelonPicsMovies → u/sum1tup]

Hama yes. A project is in the works that we're very excited about, which documents these massacres.

Alana: I suggest people watch Tantura with the understand that the first hand accounts aren't just Palestinians. That zionist militias admit to their atrocities. It's pretty gross.

[u/grenadia]

As I watch the protests unfold on university campuses all over the country, I feel immensely hopeful that Palestine is closer to being free than it's ever been. What are your thoughts on this and how do you think we can keep this momentum going? What is the next step?

[u/WatermelonPicsMovies → u/grenadia]

Hi this Alana: what's happening on college campuses is the first step on so many movements. The anti-war movement, the anti-apartheid movement, South African movement -- there's usually a domino effect that happens after college movements and we're excited to see that.

Hi this Badie: from the industry perspective, it's so beautiful to see the transformative generational shift and the formation of Watermelon. This began with our father and uncle establishing themselves in the country, giving us a platform to begin this endeavor and now we can only imagine what this next generation will do with their creativity.

[u/PresentMammoth5188 → u/grenadia]

Weren’t there big protests a few years back and all of this still continued? 😔

[u/grenadia → u/PresentMammoth5188]

Not like this!

[u/PresentMammoth5188 → u/grenadia]

True, I'm so so so hopeful and cheering all those brave students on! :)

[u/Whiskinho]

I cannot come up with any questions at the moment, but I wish you the best of luck! I really hope things go well and and you prosper... we need more and more people and organisations like you.

[u/sum1tup]

What's a western-produced movie that you think captures Palestinians' emotions and experiences accurately?
(Asked by Linear on Discord)

[u/WatermelonPicsMovies → u/sum1tup]

Alana: this is a GREAT question but a very hard question. There may indeed be films out there but we haven't seen them because of the suppression of the Palestinian narrative. This is exactly why we started Watermelon pictures.

Badie: we don't feel there is one and that's why we felt it was so important to create Watermelon.

[u/SpicyStrawberryJuice]

Can you do documentaries about female palestine freedom fighters? Ex: Fatima Bernawi, Leila Khaled etc. I would love to see their story on a screen.

[u/WatermelonPicsMovies → u/SpicyStrawberryJuice]

Hamza: We're looking into telling all kinds of stories and this is a great idea! Thanks for sharing
Alana: Bring us a screenplay and we will make it!

[u/Ambitious-Roof2196 → u/SpicyStrawberryJuice]

Ahh, I've been thinking about that. Glad you posted it. Def need that.

[u/Ambitious-Roof2196]

I'd like to find out more about ways I can help. Looking forward to getting more info about getting involved This is very much needed. 🍉

[u/SpicyStrawberryJuice]

Have you thought of creating work that preserves Palestinian culture? the way people lived before the Nakba and what traditions are still alive.

[u/WatermelonPicsMovies → u/SpicyStrawberryJuice]

Alana: We are definitely trying to preserve Palestinian culture with our work, we want Palestinians to be seen, culture, humanity, reality, stories and daily life

[u/hunegypt]

Good afternoon. Were there any obstacles to create this film company in the USA? I am asking this because knowing the current political climate in the USA and the attacks on the Hadid family by Israel, I imagine that making a project revolving around Palestinian identity must be really difficult.

[u/WatermelonPicsMovies → u/hunegypt]

Alana: i think that one of the reasons why we had such a successful launch was because of the work of Hamza's and Badie's father and uncle. They put in the work so that we had the existing framework to launch Watermelon and we're hoping to do the same for the next generation

[u/sum1tup]

Can you discuss any feedback or reactions from viewers that have been particularly meaningful or surprising to you?

[u/WatermelonPicsMovies → u/sum1tup]

Alana: Its all been really surprising and meaningful, every person who has reached out, every email or comment of support has given us so much hope

Badie: The outpouring of love and support has truly been overwhelming

Hamza: We also feel the responsibility to share the stories that our community really needs to tell

[u/sum1tup]

What books have influenced you deeply, not necessarily related to filmmaking or your professional field, but perhaps that have touched on your personal or cultural identity?

[u/hunegypt]

Are you planning to cooperate with Palestinian or other Arab independent film studios in the near future? For example, I know that in Ramallah, there is something called Palestine Cinema Days is an annual film Festival founded in 2014 by Filmlab Palestine or you are planning to go on a more independent route?

[u/PresentMammoth5188]

How do you feel about celebrities and/or the film industry not speaking up more? They have less chance of loss than the everyday people who still speak up anyways.

How to get them to use their platforms? Families desperately need their evacuation funds shared to big, wealthier followings

[u/PresentMammoth5188]

Do you think evacuating is our best hope to save Gazans? How can we get more people with big followings to share evacuation links? Especially celebs since unfortunately fans will be more likely to do what a celebrity suggests and they may know wealthier people who can donate more.

If we don’t get the links (like from Project Watermelon and Operation Olive Branch) out to bigger followings there is no way we can fund everyone. 💔 I think it might be the only hope if everyone passes on the word with the chance that someone may know someone with a big following to start a chain reaction somehow.

[u/digitalclock1]

Hope you are all doing well. Just curious if you guys have faced any sort of repression or targeting from pro-israeli lobbyists and if this has effected you and your content? Also wanted to thank you for your continued hard work of supporting Palestine in this hard time.

[u/Goodsharky1]

How difficult will it be to get a filming permit in the West Bank?

[u/WatermelonPicsMovies → u/Goodsharky1]

Alana: extremely difficult but not because of Palestinians but because permitting is controlled by Israel. Everything this controlled by Israel.

[u/Ambitious-Roof2196]

Films on how life was prior, how Palestinans open their arms to the Jewish people that were forced to leave Germany, how they lost Rafah & other parts. How the Western world helps. The corrupt media. I've watched so many videos of how Palestinans come together to take care of orphans, feed each other. The psychological effects of war. The lies that Palestinans use children as human shield. The brave drs. The brave journalist. Last one, the story behind the Keffiyeh

[u/Ambitious-Roof2196 → u/Ambitious-Roof2196]

u/WatermelonPicsMovies

[u/SamsungSmartFridges]

can Palestinians get guns?

[u/SonutsIsHere]

What is your stance on the ongoing genocide in gaza?(by thesyriancivilian on discord)

[u/don_quixote_2]

Finally reddit is back ! I wanna ask a few questions if that's OK : 1-Are you just going to make documentaries about Palestine or does your future plans involve other forms of media (Films, TV Shows, Video Games,..etc) ? 2-How do you plan on funding, since investors/corporations usually influence production and ideas we've seen this so many times, do you plan for example on crowdfunding to avoid this obstacle or what ? 3-Let's say someone is artistically inclined and wants to volunteer to help in any way possible, is that OK or do they have to be professionals and do they have to be Palestinian ? Thank you.

[u/sum1tup]

Which filmmakers, artists, or historical figures have influenced your approach to filmmaking/ launching Watermelon Pictures?

[u/WatermelonPicsMovies → u/sum1tup]

Hamza/ Badie: Our uncle Waleed and Father Malik raised us in this industry, they always instilled ethics and our goal is to put these ethics, our culture, and their business they built in to film

[u/Ambitious-Roof2196 → u/WatermelonPicsMovies]

Congrats! I signed up. How can we get involved?

[u/Downtown-Public5102]

Hi I have an audio storyline for a film that I am hoping to add animations/some sort of visuals to...would your film company be able to connect me with anyone who could help out/collaborate on such a project?

[u/PresentMammoth5188]

Is your family involved and helping?

[u/pinkheart123]

What hurdles do you face in the film industry since Zionists have such a strong hold on it?

[u/The_Jenini]

Hope you’re doing well, my question is, considering the present situation, which themes or narratives do you think would have the greatest impact in Palestinian cinema, and what makes them particularly influential?

[u/RumHamRigRunner]

Hi! First of all, congratulations! I can’t wait to see what you end up making and distributing. I joined the email list and reached out to help and everything! (I’m a freelance film professional based in the U.S. too)

What are the types of Palestinian or Palestinian-American/diasporic narratives you are individually most excited to be able to shine a light on through Watermelon Pictures? And has that changed since 2023?

I ask this as someone who is from a different diaspora but one that has also been greatly affected by colonialism, partition, and a general orientalist worldview in pop culture leading to misrepresentation - and because I think we can all agree that no diaspora is a monolith and has plenty of diversity in and of itself - but what does that look like for Palestinian cinema in the media landscape that we live in today?

[u/SonutsIsHere]

What is your guys goal by making films about palestine and how will it help the palestinian cause? (by thesyriancivilian on discord)

[u/Prior_Recipe_5999]

@lanzybear I wish u could buy tiktok Ur rich

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[u/Prior_Recipe_5999]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2TJ9uyPNpQ/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Can u guys track down whoever made this animation and hire them please 

[u/Zealousideal-Can7284]

So excited! I feel like this is so needed. Thank you for your vision. Will you be accepting scripts or treatments? If yes, how do we submit.

[u/Brilliant_Office8202]

What are your favorite monster movies/genre films in general (fantasy, horror, etc.)? Can we expect some exciting genre cinema coming from Watermelon?

[u/Ok-Huckleberry-4695]

This is so cool! I've filled out the application on your website and am so excited to hear more through your emails :)

Are there any stories in particular, or topics, that you are looking forward to covering/telling?