Voyage of the Handala

Jim Koenigsaecker
Tom Hayes
United States, 2025, 29 min.

In English, Spanish with English, Spanish subtitles.
Includes violence and adult language.

AIFF Award Winner:
Best Foreign Short Documentary

Voyage of the Handala is an independent documentary film about an international group of peace activists and aid workers sailing from Europe to Gaza to raise awareness of the plight of the Palestinians and break the Israeli blockade of Gaza to deliver aid, health care and hope. The Handala, an old Norwegian fishing boat, was named for the political cartoon by Naji al-Ali depicting a defiant Palestinian boy.

Director's Statement

The Arab / Israeli conflict is one of the most pressing challenges of our time so I used the Handala’s voyage as way to explore some of the underlying issues. I also attempted to amplify the voices of our besieged collaborators in Gaza while telling the stories of the Handala’s crew members who knowingly risked their lives to try and reach them. Because of the horror of what is happening in Gaza, I tried to make the best film I could, as quickly as possible, to try and nudge the world in the right direction.

Category: Documentary, Festival Alum, Short, Award Winner.
Themes: Human Rights, Middle East.