Berlin-Winning Israeli Hostage Doc ‘Holding Liat’ Bought by MetFilm for Worldwide Sales (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Alex Ritman “Holding Liat,” the Darren Aronofsky-produced film which recently won the best documentary feature award at the Berlinale, has been acquired by MetFilm Sales for worldwide sales.

Directed by Brendan Kramer, the film — which now qualifies for consideration at the 2026 Oscars for best documentary feature after its win in Berlin — follows in the footsteps of “No Other Land,” which claimed the Berlinale’s top doc honor in 2024 and would go on to win the Academy Award earlier this year. “Holding Liat” follows in real-time the story of an Israeli-American family fighting for the release of their loved ones from captivity in Gaza after the October 7 attacks, surfacing questions about each family member’s identity and their relationships with one another.

The Berlinale jury said the film “creates a space where the complexity of violence and justice and the contractions of history are not silenced, but brought forward.” “We are truly honoured to be able to work with the filmmaking team and present this extraordinary film to buyers around the world,” added Zak Brilliant, head of sales and distribution at MetFilm. “‘Holding Liat’ is a searing and vital account of an incredibly complex and tragic situation, but more than anything it’s a remarkable testament to the power of holding space for peace amid violence.” “Holding Liat” is a Protozoa and Meridian Hill Pictures production, directed by Kramer, produced by Lance Kramer, Aronofsky, Ari Handel, Yoni Brook, and Justin A.

Gonçalves. “We had a unique access point to create a historical record of this moment through the frame of one family” said Kramer. “Where the story led us was a profound place we never could have imagined from the onset.