(From L to R): Watermelon Pictures Co-CEOs Hamza and Badie Ali Courtesy of Watermelon Pictures Just under two years ago, brothers Badie and Hamza Ali launched Watermelon Pictures, a Chicago-based production and distribution company designed to make and release the movies others won't. Named for the fruit that shares the colors of the Palestinian flag and has become a symbol of resistance, Watermelon was founded to use "the power of film to amplify underrepresented voices," particularly from Palestine and other marginalized communities. Since its launch, the company has been true to its mandate. Watermelon has released documentaries and features tackling politically sensitive subjects that many distributors have deemed too risky - or, under the current Trump administration, potentially too dangerous - for the U.S. market. "We pride ourselves on being a fearless distributor," says Badie Ali. Related Stories Movies 'No Good Men' Review: Patriarchy Makes an Easy Target Even if Nuance Is Mostly Elusive in Underwhelming Berlin Opener Movies 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' VFX Team Takes "Real Issue" With Oscars Overlooking Departments for Using CG Watermelon released The Encampments, Kei Pritsker and Michael T. Workman's documentary about pro-Palestinian Columbia University student activist Mahmoud Khalil, and From Ground Zero, an anthology film by 22 Palestinian directors chronicling life and death in Gaza. They co-produced Annemarie Jacir's period drama Palestine 36, Kaouther Ben Hania's The Voice of Hind Rajab, about the killing of a six-year-old girl and her family in Gaza, and Cherien Dabis' Palestinian family epic All That's Left of You. All three made the Oscar shortlist for best international feature, with The Voice of Hind Rajab going on to secure a nomination. Watermelon co-produced the Oscar-nominated 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' Neon The brothers grew up in the business. Watermelon is a unit of indie distributor MPI Media Group, founded by their father, Malik Ali, and their late uncle Waleed, back in 1976. Badie and Hamza were inspired to launch Watermelon in the wake of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks that killed some 1,200 Israelis and triggered Israel's war in Gaza. They were dissatisfied with the lack of reporting or concern in the U.S. media for the tens of thousands of Palestinian civilian casualties. (Israeli military officials recently appeared to publicly acknowledge figures from Gaza's health ministry that some 70,000 Palestinians died in the war). But building a business around politically charged films hasn't been easy. While Watermelon has mobilized an engaged, largely younger audience through social media and grassroots theatrical campaigns, major streamers have kept their distance. "I don't think any of our films have gone on a major streamer," says Hamza. Last May, the company launched its own platform, Watermelon+, to ensure its movies could reach viewers without relying on traditional gatekeepers. The Ali brothers spoke to The Hollywood Reporter ahead of the Berlin market - where their two Sundance docs - Who Killed Alex Odeh? and American Doctor are screening - to talk political resistance, their awards-season breakthrough, and Watermelon plans to expand beyond hot-button docs while staying true to its core mission. It's been just over a year and a half since you launched Watermelon. What have you guys learned in that time? Badie Ali: I'd say the biggest thing for me was that there are a lot of people who are craving this type of content that we're coming out with, this authentic content. [When we started], we thought maybe we were in just by ourselves, but we realized there are a lot more people than we envisioned that are really on board with what we're trying to do. Hamza Ali: I was gonna say the same thing. It speaks to the demand and the necessity of what we're doing, releasing films from underrepresented voices. A lot of films go to festivals, and then they don't have a shelf life; there's no life beyond the festivals. So there was a huge demand for films that aren't making it onto a major streaming platform. Are you seeing more competition in that space? Badie Ali: I think definitely we're seeing that things are going more global, as you're seeing in Berlin. There's a need for more global content. Before, maybe a lot of content was just geared towards "the West," but now, with media accessibility in everyone's hands, I think there's a huge audience globally that has been untapped and underserved for so long. I definitely think there's a need for this kind of expansion to other territories. And from an IP standpoint, there's so much untapped IP from certain regions, stories that have never been told. Does that feed into what you guys want to do in the near future? Are you looking to expand beyond the U.S. in the rights for films you acquire for distribution? Badie Ali: In general, absolutely. Things are shifting. We see Hollywood consolidating, and there's a definite, conscientious eff