Who Is Still Alive Trailer Debuts With US Release Date

Watermelon Pictures has scheduled a 27 November theatrical debut in the United States for Who Is Still Alive, Switzerland's official submission for the 2027 Academy Awards, alongside releasing its North American trailer. Directed by Swiss filmmaker Nicolas Wadimoff, the documentary follows nine displaced former Gaza residents reflecting on displacement and survival. For audiences and cinema observers in Malaysia tracking international festival cinema and Oscar contenders, the announcement marks the beginning of the title's commercial awards campaign, though local distribution and theatrical release dates across domestic cinema chains or streaming platforms remain unconfirmed.

Key Facts

The following table summarises the confirmed distribution, festival, and production details for the documentary feature Who Is Still Alive based on verified trade announcements. These details reflect the production's official credits, regional release commitments, and international festival representation ahead of the 2027 Academy Awards cycle.

Watermelon Pictures will release Switzerland's 2027 Oscar submission Who Is Still Alive in select United States cinemas on 27 November.

What Is the Subject and Format of Who Is Still Alive?

Nicolas Wadimoff's documentary Who Is Still Alive focuses on nine former residents of Gaza who are now living as displaced refugees across Europe and the Middle East. The film captures their testimonies of survival, loss, and unfulfilled aspirations within a minimalist setting composed of white floor lines representing their former homeland.

The staging places the participants on a symbolic layout drawn on a black floor, providing a stark visual framework for their recollections. Uncertain whether they will ever be able to return to their homeland, the participants recount memories of pre-war life, family tragedy, and survival in exile. The project gained international recognition following its 2025 premiere in Venice's Giornate degli Autori section before screening at festivals including Locarno, Hot Docs, and the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival.

Director Nicolas Wadimoff documents the personal testimonies of nine displaced Palestinians inside a minimalist staging depicting the Gaza boundary.

How Will Who Is Still Alive Be Rolled Out in Cinemas?

Watermelon Pictures will launch Who Is Still Alive theatrically in New York and Los Angeles on 27 November before expanding to ten key art-house markets on 4 December. Director Nicolas Wadimoff is scheduled to tour the United States to participate in awards-trail screenings and live audience question-and-answer sessions.

The staggered release strategy mirrors the platform release model used by speciality distributors during awards season to build critical momentum among voting bodies. Watermelon Pictures established visibility during the 2025–26 season by handling the North American distribution for the Oscar-nominated drama The Voice Of Hind Rajab, along with shortlisted films Palestine 36 and All That's Left Of You. The distributor's 2027 slate also features the documentary contender American Doctor.

The theatrical distribution expands from New York and Los Angeles to ten additional art-house markets on 4 December.

What It Means for Viewers in Malaysia

Malaysian availability for Who Is Still Alive has not been confirmed for either theatrical distribution or streaming platforms. Local cinema chains such as GSC, TGV, and MBO have announced no screenings, and domestic streaming providers have not acquired the title, leaving Malaysian access dependent on future international distribution agreements.

Independent festival documentaries rarely secure wide commercial runs in Malaysia, often requiring acquisition by speciality distributors or retrospective showcases. Furthermore, the film has not been submitted to the Film Censorship Board of Malaysia (LPF) for local cinema certification. Malaysian viewers following the 2027 Academy Awards race will have to await international streaming licensing or regional digital platform availability.

Neither a theatrical release date nor a streaming licence has been confirmed for Who Is Still Alive in Malaysia.

Common Questions

This section answers common reader inquiries regarding the international release schedule, festival background, and subject matter of the Swiss documentary entry Who Is Still Alive. The details provided reflect verified distributor statements from Watermelon Pictures and international festival records documented ahead of the upcoming awards season.

When will Who Is Still Alive be released in Malaysian cinemas?

A Malaysian theatrical release date has not been confirmed. Local exhibitors including Golden Screen Cinemas, TGV Cinemas, and MBO Cinemas have not scheduled the documentary, and no local distribution partner has acquired the title for Malaysian theatrical exhibition.

Is Who Is Still Alive representing Switzerland at the Oscars?

Yes, Who Is Still Alive is Switzerland's official submission for the 2027 Academy Awards. Directed by Nicolas Wadimoff, the documentary premiered at the Venice Film Festival's Giornate degli Autori section before being acquired for North American release by Watermelon Pictures.

Which streaming platform carries Who Is Still Alive in Malaysia?

No streaming service in Malaysia—including Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Prime Video, or Viu—currently holds distribution rights for Who Is Still Alive. Online availability has not been announced following the release of its North American theatrical trailer.

Official release details confirm that initial theatrical availability is restricted to selected United States art-house cinemas.

Sources and Methodology

This report was compiled from verified trade reporting published by Deadline Hollywood on 2 November 2026 regarding Watermelon Pictures and director Nicolas Wadimoff. All release milestones, festival selections, and corporate slate details reflect official production disclosures, without unverified box office speculation or unconfirmed international dates.

The primary source for this dispatch is the exclusive report by Senior International Film Correspondent Melanie Goodfellow on Deadline Hollywood. The source verified the release dates, festival participation, and directorial background for Who Is Still Alive. Financial estimates for production budgets or box office were not provided in the original trade reporting and have been omitted accordingly.

Information in this dispatch is sourced directly from Deadline Hollywood's verified trade reporting published on 2 November 2026.