
Citizen Osama follows Osama, a former artistic photographer who documents devastation in besieged northern Gaza while trying to protect his wife and newborn. Directed and written by Ahmed Hassouna, the 68-minute Arabic documentary presents a personal account of wartime hunger, loss, trauma, duty and resilience.
Citizen Osama is a 2026 documentary set in besieged northern Gaza. It centers on Osama, a former artistic photographer who has turned to documenting the realities of war while caring for his wife and newborn child.
Directed and written by Ahmed Hassouna, the film connects personal responsibility with the act of bearing witness. Its focus is an intimate wartime story shaped by hunger, loss, trauma and the determination to preserve hope.
Citizen Osama movie details
| Title | Citizen Osama |
|---|---|
| Original title | المواطن أسامة |
| Release date | |
| Runtime | 1h 8m |
| Genres | Documentary |
| Director | Ahmed Hassouna |
| Writer | Ahmed Hassouna |
| Country | Palestinian Territory, France, Qatar |
| Languages | Arabic |
| Status | Released |
Story without spoilers
Osama works as a war documentarian amid the devastation surrounding him in northern Gaza. At the same time, he faces the immediate responsibility of protecting his wife and newborn in conditions marked by siege and hunger.
The documentary follows the tension between recording what is happening and keeping his family safe. Without revealing the film’s conclusion, Citizen Osama presents his work and circumstances as an account of duty, endurance and humanity during wartime.

What to expect
As a documentary, Citizen Osama is grounded in real-life experience rather than a fictional narrative. Its premise points to a personal and intimate perspective on conflict, combining Osama’s role as a documentarian with the pressures of family life in a besieged environment.
The film’s 68-minute runtime suggests a focused account. Viewers can expect subject matter involving war, displacement-related hardship, hunger, loss and trauma, alongside an emphasis on resilience and hope. The documentary is presented in Arabic.
Cast and creative team
Ahmed Hassouna is credited as both director and writer of Citizen Osama. No cast members are listed, consistent with the film’s documentary format and its focus on Osama’s lived experience.
Release and production context
Citizen Osama is listed as a 2026 documentary with a release date of September 5, 2026. It runs for 1 hour and 8 minutes and is spoken in Arabic. The film is associated with the Palestinian Territory, France and Qatar, with production credited to Coorigines Production, Filcam Media Production and Masharawi Fund for Films and Filmmakers in Gaza.
Production companies: Coorigines Production, Filcam Media Production, Masharawi Fund for Films and Filmmakers in Gaza
Movies Dock view
Citizen Osama offers a concise documentary portrait of one man balancing the responsibilities of family and witness in northern Gaza. Its subject matter places personal survival alongside the effort to document wartime devastation, giving the film a clear human focus without separating Osama’s private concerns from the wider crisis around him.
Frequently asked questions
What is Citizen Osama about?
It follows Osama, a former artistic photographer and war documentarian in northern Gaza, as he tries to protect his wife and newborn while documenting the devastation around him.
Who directed and wrote Citizen Osama?
Ahmed Hassouna directed and wrote the documentary.
When is Citizen Osama released?
The listed release date is September 5, 2026.
How long is Citizen Osama?
The documentary has a runtime of 1 hour and 8 minutes.
What language is Citizen Osama in?
The film is spoken in Arabic.















