Watermelon Pictures has acquired North American distribution rights to the current affairs documentary “Traces of Home,” which John Leguizamo (“The Menu”) and Melissa Barrera (“In the Heights”) have come on board as executive producers. Colette Ghunim’s first feature film has its world premiere at DOC NYC, where it is in competition in the official section.
Spanning five years in production, the documentary traces Ghunim’s deeply personal journey of self-discovery as she seeks to reconnect her parents with the ancestral homes they were forced to abandon as children in Palestine and Mexico. Blending evocative animation with rarely seen archival footage, the documentary is both a meditation on memory and an exploration of belonging, displacement and the quest to return home – both physically and spiritually.
“This documentary feels particularly urgent and personal to me – not only because of my love and deep connection to Mexico and Palestine, but also because it is presented at a time when it is imperative to address the generational trauma that refugees and their families live with,” Barrera said.
“We live and witness wars and dispossession at home and abroad and our communities are directly affected. Through the lens of a Palestinian-Mexican family, the film poignantly explains how a family can be affected and the importance of finding the tools to heal this trauma. I hope this documentary offers hope and shows a path forward for those in need,” she added.
“Ghunim has created a stunning, tender and vulnerable look at today’s American family. She courageously unravels the legacy of displacement passed down through generations to reveal something truly profound,” said Munir Atalla, head of production and acquisitions for Watermelon Pictures, which brokered the deal with Ghunim.
Acclaimed documentary editor and producer Sara Maamouri (“The Judge,” “A Revolution in Four Seasons”) has also joined the group as producer and co-editor. “It is an honor to partner with Watermelon Pictures to bring ‘Traces of Home’ to North American audiences. Their remarkable work in reshaping the dominant narrative around the Palestinian people and other underrepresented communities reflects the heart of this film,” she said.
Dan Rybicky and Capella Fahoome join Maamouri as producers while Keith Wilson and Dena Takruri serve as executive producers. Four-time Academy Award nominee Kartemquin Films, whose credits include “Hoop Dreams,” “A Good Man” and “Almost There,” is a co-producer.
Watermelon Pictures was founded in 2024 by brothers Hamza Ali and Badie Ali who, in its first year, landed an Oscar pre-selection for their film “From Ground Zero,” Palestine’s official entry to the 97th Academy Awards. In May this year, the company launched Watermelon+, a new streaming service featuring a library of Palestinian and world cinema.
DOC NYC will take place November 12-30.
