A scene from the premiere of the documentary ‘Birds of War’ on January 24, 2026, at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, USA.
The documentary “Birds of War” received widespread acclaim and won the Jury Prize for Social Impact at the Sundance Film Festival, held from January 22 to February 1, 2026.
The documentary, which won the Jury Prize for Social Impact, offers a critique of how modern media covers wars.
The film explores the relationship, which began as strictly professional, between a Syrian photographer and activist and a Lebanese journalist who was working in London when the Syrian civil war erupted in 2011.
At the time, the activist was a key source for the British broadcaster, which, like other foreign media outlets, faced significant difficulties covering the war in Syria as it could not send its own journalists into the country.
On the sidelines of the festival, which hosted the documentary’s premiere last week, the journalist stated: “The most important thing is for a journalist to understand who the person they are cooperating with is.”
She emphasized that “They are not just a source of information, nor a subject. They are not someone who helps me advance professionally; they are a human being with feelings. They are defending a cause.”
Disappointment with War Coverage
Through video footage captured over 13 years and text messages exchanged between the journalist and the activist, the film traces the Lebanese journalist’s growing disappointment with the war coverage, as the rapid pace of media attention causes conflicts like Syria’s, and other tragedies, to be quickly forgotten.
The journalist said, “At one point, we focused on migration across the Mediterranean and people dying. Then a tsunami hit Indonesia.”
She added, “A week later, we forgot about the tsunami because we were preoccupied with other things. And I started wondering: What happened to those people? Why did we stop talking about them?”
In an effort to refocus attention on Syria, the journalist asked the activist to provide her with topics about human stories “with no bloody aspect.”
Amid the conflict, the pair did indeed manage to produce reports, including, for example, stories about Syrians creating rooftop gardens in war zones.
This shift in topics from covering military developments to the human side coincided with the beginnings of a personal relationship between them, as they exchanged videos of their pets and began calling each other “Little Bird.”
Then, an image spread widely around the world showing the activist rescuing a child from among the burning vehicles of a civilian convoy attacked while fleeing a besieged city.
This image made the activist a target for the regime of the ousted president, forcing him to flee to Turkey, like hundreds of thousands of his compatriots during the war.
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Wishing to meet the man she had been talking to online for years, the journalist decided to go see him in Turkey. What she thought was just innocent online flirting turned into a love story.
A Unique Voice
After marrying, they settled in London to continue covering the Syrian war while ensuring the safety of the activist, who had been following it since its outbreak when he was eighteen.
The journalist said, “We live in London because no other choice was available at the time, but that doesn’t mean we don’t feel guilty.”
She added, “Everyone wants to be in their homeland, but some cannot.”
The journalist no longer works for the broadcaster, dedicating her time with her husband to independent documentaries, which she sees as a way to show the reality of the world in all its complexity.
She said, “Anyone can be the subject of a news story, but at the same time, every person is a human being.”
She continued, “We all love, and we all want to be loved. We all struggle to survive. When we realize that every person has their own unique voice, and we give them the opportunity to express it, we will have better journalism.”
Syrian
Syria is a country in the Middle East with a rich history as one of the world’s oldest centers of civilization, home to ancient cities like Damascus and Aleppo. Its numerous cultural sites, such as the ruins of Palmyra and the Krak des Chevaliers castle, reflect millennia of influence from various empires, though many have suffered damage during recent conflicts.
Birds of War
“Birds of War” is a fictional heavy metal band from the American television comedy series *It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia*. The band, formed by the characters Mac, Dennis, and Dee, is a satirical creation known for its absurd and aggressive performances, such as their signature song “The Nightman Cometh.” It has no real-world history, existing purely as a comedic element within the show’s narrative.
Sundance Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is an annual independent film festival held in Utah, USA, founded in 1978 by Sterling Van Wagenen and initially led by actor Robert Redford. It was established to provide a platform for independent filmmakers and has grown into one of the most prominent and influential film festivals in the world, known for launching numerous acclaimed films and careers.
Park City
Park City is a mountain resort town in Utah, USA, originally founded as a silver mining camp in the 1860s. After the mining industry declined, it successfully reinvented itself as a premier destination for skiing and outdoor recreation, now famously hosting the annual Sundance Film Festival.
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 ancestral homeland of several Native American tribes and was later settled in 1847 by Mormon pioneers led by Brigham Young, becoming the 45th state in 1896. Today, it is famous for cultural sites like Temple Square in Salt Lake City and its five national parks, including Zion and Arches.
USA
The United States of America is a federal republic founded in 1776 after declaring independence from Great Britain. It grew from thirteen original colonies into a global superpower, with a history shaped by westward expansion, industrialization, and a diverse population drawn from immigration. Its cultural influence is profound, exported worldwide through its film, music, technology, and democratic ideals.
Syrian civil war
The Syrian civil war is an ongoing multi-sided armed conflict that began in 2011 with nationwide protests against the government of Bashar al-Assad, which escalated into a violent insurgency and full-scale war. The conflict has drawn in numerous foreign powers and militant groups, resulting in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis with immense loss of life and the displacement of millions of Syrians.
Syria
Syria is a country in the Middle East with a rich history as a cradle of civilization, home to ancient cities like Damascus, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Its historical landscape includes major archaeological sites from the Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic periods, such as Palmyra and the Krak des Chevaliers castle. In recent history, the country has been significantly affected by a complex and ongoing civil war that began in 2011.
London
London is the capital of the United Kingdom, a major global city founded by the Romans as Londinium nearly two millennia ago. Its long history is reflected in landmarks like the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and the modern financial district, showcasing its evolution from a Roman settlement to a medieval powerhouse and a modern metropolis.
Mediterranean
The Mediterranean is a sea bordered by Europe, Africa, and Asia, historically serving as a crucial crossroads for trade, cultural exchange, and the rise of major civilizations like the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Phoenicians. Its shores have been central to the development of Western and Middle Eastern history, fostering the spread of ideas, religions, and goods for millennia.
Indonesia
Indonesia is a Southeast Asian archipelago of over 17,000 islands, with a history shaped by Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms, Islamic sultanates, and European colonialism, notably by the Dutch. It gained independence in 1945 and is now the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, renowned for its diverse cultures, languages, and natural landmarks like Bali and Komodo National Park.
Turkey
Turkey is a transcontinental nation bridging Europe and Asia, with a rich history rooted in the ancient civilizations of Anatolia and later as the heart of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Its modern identity was forged as a republic in 1923 under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, blending its deep historical legacy with a contemporary secular state. Key cultural sites include the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, which has served as a cathedral, mosque, and museum, reflecting the country’s layered historical and religious heritage.
London
London is the capital city of the United Kingdom, founded as a Roman settlement called Londinium nearly 2,000 years ago. It has since grown into a major global metropolis, historically serving as the centre of the British Empire and now as a leading hub for finance, culture, and politics.
