Dear Nizar, Dear Maryam
Business Insider is producing a feature-length documentary titled 'Dear Nizar, Dear Maryam' about a Palestinian family's survival during the war in Gaza. The film follows Hamada Shaqoura, a former food blogger turned wartime cook, as he documents his family's struggle for survival.
Why it matters
It provides a personal, long-form perspective on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, emphasizing the role of citizen journalism and personal testimony in conflict reporting.
Hamada and Lamees Shaqoura carry their children, Nizar and Maryam, through the streets of Gaza City. Business Insider Business Insider has recently completed production on "Dear Nizar, Dear Maryam." The project is a follow-up to the Emmy Award-winning video about Hamada Shaqoura's transition from food blogger to wartime chef. This is Business Insider's first feature-length documentary. It will be released on the 2026-2027 international film festival circuit. Film synopsis Before the war, Hamada Shaqoura was a food blogger in Gaza . He filmed restaurants, markets, meals, and everyday life as he built a future with his wife, Lamees, in Gaza City. Then the war began, and everything changed. Told by Hamada as a love letter to his two young children, Nizar and Maryam, the film chronicles one family's experience of more than 1,000 days of war in Gaza. Nizar is born into displacement. Maryam is born as famine deepens.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in