our mission

Our mission is to shift culture on a large scale by bringing Palestinian cinema, and other untold stories, to broad audiences in a way that entertains, inspires, and activates audiences. By mobilizing movements for social justice, we hope to expand the reach of our artists by distributing their works in theaters and beyond. Through our own development and production, we are changing the scope of what a Palestinian film can be and empowering artists to reclaim their own narrative. We aim to build a shared collective vision for liberatory cinema that celebrates diversity and challenges power. In the spirit of Palestinian hospitality, we welcome everyone to hear our stories — if you come to our table, we will feed you.

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Why Watermelon?

about us

Our Story

founded by the ali brothers

‍In 1960, Waleed and Malik Ali, two brothers born in the U.S., returned to their parents' ancestral land of Palestine during their childhood. After the 1967 Naksa, they moved back to America to pursue their passion for film. In 1976, they launched MPI Media Group, an entertainment company, and became successful independent film distributors.

continuing the legacy

‍Years after Waleed's passing, Malik's sons, Badie and Hamza, are dedicated to fulfilling their Father and Uncle's dream. Watermelon Pictures is committed to using the power of film to amplify underrepresented voices, particularly those from Palestine and other marginalized communities.

symbol of the watermelon

ART AS DEFIANCE

At Watermelon Pictures, we believe in the power of art because we have seen how the image of a humble watermelon can serve as a form of defiance against oppression, conveying powerful messages of resistance and resilience. While Malik and Waleed Ali were in Palestine, the Occupation outlawed the Palestinian flag. In 1979, three Palestinian painters opened an art gallery in Ramallah, where they depicted the Palestinian struggle in their work. Occupation forces raided the gallery, and all paintings featuring the colors of the Palestinian flag were confiscated.

birth of the symbol

Amidst a ban on the Palestinian flag and its colors, one of the artists asked, "What if I were to paint a flower of red, green, black, and white?" The occupiers replied, "Even if you paint a watermelon, we will confiscate it." From then on, the humble watermelon, which shares its colors with the Palestinian flag, became a symbol of defiance. This powerful statement against oppression embodies the spirit of resistance and creativity. Watermelon Pictures draws inspiration from this symbol, reflecting our commitment to promoting Palestinian cinema and other voices that face repression.

our logo

Our logo, featuring the distinctive colors of a watermelon, pays homage to this historical symbol of Palestinian resistance. It represents our mission to preserve and promote Palestinian cultural identity through film. The wedge itself is reminiscent of cinema seating, and the seeds symbolize our individual roles in collective storytelling. By integrating the watermelon into our branding, we honor the legacy of artistic resistance and resilience that defines Palestinian heritage. Each audience member, like a seed, has the potential to spread these stories globally. Watermelon Pictures is dedicated to bringing these powerful narratives to a worldwide audience, ensuring the spirit of Palestinian resistance and creativity thrives.