SCAD Student Layla Daoud brings “No Other Land” to Savannah Students
Written by Leah Kilde. Graphic by Leah Kilde.
“No Other Land” was a standout release during the 2024 film festival circuit and ended its run by winning the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film. Even after dazzling reviews and publicity, no distribution company made a move to conduct a wide release of the film in the United States. Small screenings brought the film to specific communities, like Doc Savannah’s screening in February, which allowed Layla Daoud, a SCAD Film & TV senior, to see the documentary for the first time. Through fundraising and collaboration with SCAD’s Documentary Club, she is bringing the film to screen at the Your Space Collective on May 17th at 8:30 p.m.
“I was visibly distraught when I first saw it, but I was excited,” Layla says. As a Palestinian American, she was well aware of the violence occurring in her homeland, but had never seen the realities captured on screen so well. She was able to get in contact with the film’s distributor and began organizing another event to screen the film in Savannah. Although she was unsure about the possible reception, she launched a GoFundMe to fundraise for the screening rights.
“No Other Land” follows Hamdan Ballal as a Palestinian journalist and activist recording injustices that occur in his hometown of Masafer Yatta. His collection of footage spans decades, but focuses on events from 2019-2024. During this half-decade period, Ballal became connected with Yuval Abraham, an Israeli journalist who’s freedoms directly contrast the occupation Ballal has been living under.
Ballal and Abraham also collaborated with Basel Adra and Rachel Szor on the project. The four share director, producer, writer and editor credits. Both Palestinian and Israeli perspectives are represented within the group with Andra and Ballal from Palestine, and Abraham and Szor from Israel. Through their collaboration, the group was able to present truthful experiences about the Palestinian occupation. “Because of this representation, the film has gotten a lot of opportunities,” Layla says. “People are more willing to watch something when both sides are involved.”
The reception of Layla’s GoFundMe exceeded any expectation she had. The fundraiser made its rounds on social media, being reposted over a hundred times by SCAD students. The initial goal of $350 was met within the first twenty-four hours, and extra donations were used to offset costs related to the theater reservation. “My instinct was to go inside myself and assume everybody would be against this,” Layla says. “At every turn, I’ve found people who are excited and willing to support.”
Layla, in collaboration with SCAD’s Documentary Club, was able to acquire screening rights and reserve the SCAD Museum of Art’s theater for the event. “This will be an incredible opportunity to bring people together for the sake of understanding and connection,” she says.
While Layla found success in bringing “No Other Land” to Savannah, it has still not received a wide release in the United States. To counter this, the filmmakers have taken distribution into their own hands and released the film for digital rentals as a three-week-long fundraiser. This meant even American audiences would have access to the piece. The online release has since ended and is not a long-term solution, but it represents a shift in the film industry, one that students like Layla are picking up on.
Layla’s personal passion for documentary filmmaking began when she first moved to America as a teenager. Layla used film to collect her family’s stories, culture and language. “Documentary as a format, to me, is important because I want to have proof that we exist.” To her, the online release of “No Other Land” is a way to counteract censorship in America and allow stories of all kinds to be accessible. These pillars are pivotal to her motivations for organizing this event and as an artist. “I want people to question what they’re consuming and really search for the truth,” she says. “At the end of the day, what will save us is coming together as a community and listening to artists’ stories.”
“No Other Land” will be screened at the SCAD Museum of Art Theater on May 17th at 4 p.m. The screening is free for SCAD Card holders courtesy of Layla Daoud and the SCAD Documentary Club.
Leah is a writing major at SCAD. Outside of District she works as a Sports Information Assistant with SCAD Athletics. She loves exploring all things SCAD and sharing her experiences with the student body. When not working you can find her in her hammock at Forsyth, swimming at Tybee Island, or going on any adventure she’s invited to.
