Watermelon Pictures

Watermelon Pictures is a pro-Palestinian film production company dedicated to “bringing Palestinian cinema…to broader audiences.” The company was started in 2024 by brothers Badie and Hamza Ali, whom were inspired by their father Malik Ali and his brother Waleed, both born to Palestinian immigrants in the United States, when they founded entertainment company MPI Media Group in 1976.  1

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At-A-Glance

Type: For-profit, Organization
Issue Areas: Foreign Policy
Website: www.watermelonpictures.com
Locaiton:

Orland Park, Illinois

Formation:

2024

Founders:

Badie Ali and Hamza Ali

Contents

    Activities

    Watermelon Pictures, in addition to producing and distributing pro-Palestinian films, offers several film-related services, including festival distribution, theatrical releasing, film promotion for award campaigns, cable television distribution, video on demand services, and film development. 1 The group also offers its own subscription-based streaming service, Watermelon+. 2

    As of 2025, Watermelon Pictures has produced over 40 films including Israelism (2023), Life Is Beautiful (2023), From Ground Zero (2024), To a Land Unknown (2024), and The Encampments (2025).  3

    In November 2025, Watermelon Pictures announced that it had acquired North American distribution rights to The Six Billion Dollar Man, a documentary film about WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange that debuted at the Cannes Film Festival. Watermelon Pictures plans to release the film in theaters in early 2026. 4

    Partners

    Watermelon Pictures lists several partner organizations on its website, including Apple TV, Peacock, Sling, AMC Theaters, Film Independent Spirit Awards, Festival de Cannes, Xfinity, Regal Cinemas, Cinemark, and Fios by Verizon. 1

    Leadership

    Hamza and Badie Ali are the co-founders of Watermelon Pictures.  5

    Nabil Kazi is the executive vice president of marketing and brand development at Watermelon Pictures. Previously, he worked for The Walt Disney Company, 20th Century Fox, and Illumination Entertainment. Kazi began his career opening Disney’s first offices in India before moving to Walt Disney Animation Studios and ABC Television, where he worked on media such as Wreck-It Ralph, “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “Modern Family.” Kazi also worked as senior vice president of marketing and brand at Illumination Entertainment, where he worked on other films such as The Secret Life of Pets, Sing, and Despicable Me 3. 6

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    References

    1. “About.” Watermelon Pictures. Accessed November 17, 2025. https://www.watermelonpictures.com/about
    2. “Home.” Watermelon+. Accessed November 17, 2025. https://watch.watermelonpictures.com/
    3. “Films.”Watermelon Pictures. Accessed November 17, 2025. https://www.watermelonpictures.com/films
    4. Lang, Brett. “Julian Assange Documentary ‘The Six Billion Dollar Man’ Sells to Watermelon Pictures (EXCLUSIVE).” Variety. November 10, 2025. Accessed November 17, 2025. https://variety.com/2025/film/markets-festivals/julian-assange-doc-eugene-jarecki-sells-watermelon-pictures-1236573908/
    5. Hingley, Olivia. “Watermelon Pictures is the film company putting Palestinian cinema where it belongs – on the big screen.” It’s Nice That. September 16, 2025. Accessed November 17, 2025. https://www.itsnicethat.com/features/watermelon-pictures-film-spotlight-160925
    6. Goodfellow, Melanie. “Watermelon Pictures Appoints Ex-Illumination & Walt Disney Exec Nabil Kazi As EVP Of Marketing & Brand Development.” Deadline. October 14, 2025. Accessed November 17, 2025. https://deadline.com/2025/10/watermelon-pictures-nabil-kazi-head-of-marketing-brand-1236584204/