Watermelon Pictures is an American independent film production, distribution, and financing company rooted in creative resistance and cultural representation. Founded in 2024 by the Palestinian-American brothers Badie and Hamza Ali, the company is dedicated to championing unheard voices — especially Palestinian cinema and other marginalized global storytellers — through film and media that entertain, educate, and inspire social change.
What They Do
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Produce, finance, and distribute narrative and documentary films that highlight stories from underrepresented communities.
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Facilitate festival, theatrical, and digital releases for politically urgent and culturally significant works.
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Operate Watermelon+, a streaming platform offering access to Palestinian cinema and diverse independent films.
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Support screenings, community engagement, and tools for requesting non-theatrical or festival showings.
Why It Matters
Watermelon Pictures expands the presence of narratives often marginalized or overlooked by mainstream distributors, fostering cultural representation, storytelling diversity, and social awareness through cinema. Their catalog includes documentaries, feature films, and internationally recognized works that challenge dominant narratives and elevate voices from Palestine and beyond.