Syrian refugee Israa (left) with the film’s director and a colleague at the premiere of “One in a Million” during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
The Sundance Film Festival for independent films in Utah, USA, hosted the premiere on Friday of a documentary about the life of a Syrian girl who fled to Europe during the war in her country.
The film “One in a Million” tells the story of the child Israa, who was eleven years old when her family left the Syrian city of Aleppo during bombardment in 2015, as one million Syrians did at that time fleeing the war.
While in the Turkish city of Izmir, the film’s director and partner chose Israa to be the focus of their film; as she embodies the difficulties faced by these refugees. Over the following ten years, they followed her and her family’s journey across Europe, reaching Germany, where she settled and began a new life full of opportunities and challenges that nearly tore the family apart.
Speaking to the festival audience in Park City on Friday, the director’s partner said: “Israa had, in our eyes, something that seemed to encapsulate everything that was happening there.”
He added: “Her fragility as a child going through all that was evident, but at the same time, she was in control of her life.” He noted that she “didn’t stay still waiting for others to come and save her, but tried to struggle and carve her own path.”
Reality Footage
The documentary includes reality footage and interviews with Israa showing the evolution of the girl’s relationship with Germany, her religion, and her father, amid the father’s difficulty adapting to the new freedoms his daughter discovered in Europe.
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Israa, who by the end of the film is a mother living in Germany, said that seeing her life embodied on the big screen in a Park City cinema was “amazing.”
She added after the screening that having the documentary filmmakers follow her journey had a positive impact on her life, saying: “My friends thought I was famous, so making friends became easier and faster.”
The Sundance Film Festival continues until the first of February. This edition is notable as it follows the passing of its founder.
Sundance Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is an annual independent film festival held in Utah, USA, founded in 1978 by Sterling Van Wagenen and later championed by actor Robert Redford. It was established to provide a platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their work outside the Hollywood studio system. Today, it is one of the most prominent and influential film festivals in the world, known for launching major films and careers.
Utah
Utah is a state in the western United States known for its diverse landscapes, including deserts, mountains, and the Great Salt Lake. Historically, it was the homeland of indigenous tribes like the Ute, Shoshone, and Paiute before becoming a destination for Mormon pioneers in 1847, who established a significant and lasting settlement. Today, it is famous for its national parks, such as Zion and Arches, and its central role in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
USA
The United States of America is a federal republic founded in 1776 after declaring independence from Great Britain. Its history is marked by westward expansion, industrialization, and its emergence as a global superpower in the 20th century. The nation is defined by its diverse population, democratic institutions, and significant cultural influence worldwide.
Syria
Syria is a country in the Middle East with a profound historical legacy, often called the “cradle of civilization” for its ancient cities like Damascus and Aleppo. It has been a crossroads of empires, including the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman, and is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites. The country has faced significant damage to its cultural heritage during the ongoing civil conflict that began in 2011.
Europe
Europe is a continent with a rich and complex history, shaped by ancient civilizations like Greece and Rome, the transformative Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and periods of both conflict and cooperation. Its cultural sites are profoundly diverse, ranging from prehistoric cave paintings to medieval castles, grand cathedrals, and modern architectural marvels. This history is physically preserved in landmarks such as the Acropolis in Athens, the Colosseum in Rome, and the historic centers of cities like Prague and Krakow.
Aleppo
Aleppo is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, located in modern-day Syria. Historically a major trading hub on the Silk Road, it is renowned for its iconic medieval citadel and extensive covered souk, though much of its ancient fabric suffered severe damage during the Syrian Civil War.
Turkey
Turkey is a transcontinental nation bridging Europe and Asia, with a rich history as the heart of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Its cultural landscape is defined by iconic sites like the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, which has served as a cathedral, mosque, and museum, reflecting the country’s layered historical influences. Modern Turkey was founded as a republic in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.
Izmir
Izmir is a major port city on Turkey’s Aegean coast, historically known as Smyrna, with a history dating back over 3,500 years. It has been a significant cultural and commercial hub for various civilizations, including the Greeks, Romans, and Ottomans. The city is renowned for its vibrant bazaar, ancient agora, and its role as a modern, progressive center in Turkey.
Germany
Germany is a country in Central Europe with a complex history, having been a collection of states for centuries before unifying in 1871. It was a central power in both World Wars, and its post-World War II division into East and West Germany symbolized the Cold War, before reunification in 1990. Today, it is a leading economic and political force in the European Union, known for its rich cultural heritage in philosophy, music, and science.
Park City
Park City is a mountain resort town in Utah, USA, originally founded as a silver mining camp in the 1860s. After the decline of mining, it successfully reinvented itself as a premier destination for skiing and outdoor recreation, notably hosting events during the 2002 Winter Olympics. Today, it is famous for its world-class slopes, the annual Sundance Film Festival, and well-preserved historic Main Street.
Oscar
The Oscar statuette, officially named the Academy Award of Merit, is presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for cinematic achievements. First awarded in 1929, the gold-plated knight holding a crusader’s sword was designed by MGM art director Cedric Gibbons and sculpted by George Stanley. The origin of its famous nickname is unclear, though a popular story suggests an Academy librarian said it resembled her uncle Oscar.
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival, commonly known as the Berlinale, is one of the world’s leading film festivals. It was founded in 1951 in West Berlin as a “showcase of the free world” during the Cold War and has since grown into a major public event and industry forum.
