GAZA SURF CLUB (2016). A documentary by Philip Gnadt & Mickey Yamine (87 minutes) In Arabic and English

This film is only available virtually, starting August 1, 2025. Access from anywhere in the world.

“Gaza Surf Club has been extended for one more month. It will be available throughout September 2025!”

What was it like to live in Gaza ten years ago? German filmmakers Gnadt and Yamine capture beauty, humanity and hope in a place deeply hurt by confinement and conflict, wedged between Israel and Egypt.  Filmed in Gaza over five years, they provide us with an original perspective from the point of view of the young generation who finds solace and freedom in surfing. A teenage girl also breaks the rules with her family’s support to enjoy the sea. “We used to swim wherever we wanted without anyone interfering. Today it’s different. Today everyone is controlling us, in the sea and in everything else. They say that girls can’t swim because it’s considered a sin, a disgrace.” They share their love of surfing by teaching others to surf. The narrative takes an unexpected turn when the lead character, Ibrahim, is offered a chance to go to Hawaii to learn to make the forbidden surfboards.

Toronto International Film Festival

“An inspiring, warmhearted look at a group of resilient spirits.”

Variety

“Politics is not the point of Gaza Surf Club—it is, in fact, barely mentioned—but the political situation there informs every part of this project.”

Vogue

Directors

Philip Gnadt – Director

Philip Gnadt gained first experiences as a camera assistant for five years in TV and cinema productions, before studying at the Media University in Stuttgart. In 2003 he received the sponsorship prize of the Baden-Wuerttemberg Film Industry for this documentary PAULA. His graduation film ZWÖLF SEITEN earned him the award at the ‘Independent Days Karlsruhe’ in 2010. He founded the production company Substanz Film in 2003 while also working as a freelance director for corporate and documentary films. Together with Mickey Yamine (Little Bridge Pictures) he has been pursuing GAZA SURF CLUB since 2012.

Mickey Yamine – Producer and Co-Director

Mickey Yamine grew up in Cairo (Egypt) and moved to Germany at 18. After various jobs in film and TV, he began his studies in film production at the HFF Film University in Babelsberg. He completed his graduation-film TROPIC OF BEAR in 2010, which won an honorable mention at Festival del Film in Locarno and was aired on German TV. Ever since, he has been producing numerous films and TV commercials in Cairo and Berlin. He founded the Berlin-based production company Little Bridge Pictures in 2013, together with fellows Andreas Schaap and Benny Theisen.

His latest productions include THE LAST COMPARTMENT (2016), GAZA SURF CLUB (2016) and PRINT THE LEGEND (pre- production).

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