In a rare glimpse of resilience amid devastation, Canal+ is set to air Children of Gaza, a deeply moving drama that explores the tenuous friendship between two young boys growing up under the shadow of a genocidal war. The film, never before screened in French cinemas, will be broadcast on 17 February 2026 at 21:05, followed by a discussion hosted by Laurie Cholewa and Sonia Mabrouk. Joining the conversation will be the director Loris Lai, the film’s lead actors Marwan Hamdan and Mikhael Fridel, and notable figures from French cinema and peace organisations, reflecting on the power of film to envision a world beyond destruction.

Loris Lai’s debut feature adapts Nicoletta Bortolotti’s novel of the same name, portraying an unlikely bond between Mahmud, a boy from Gaza, and Alon, a boy from the other side. Despite the divisions imposed by families, communities, and decades of violence, the two boys find common ground through their shared love of water and surfing. Mentored by a former champion, Dan, they begin to discover trust and friendship in a landscape scarred by generational trauma. By telling the story from the children’s perspective, Lai avoids caricature and presents an intimate, humane portrayal of life in a besieged territory, where small acts of connection carry profound significance.

The performances of Marwan Hamdan and Mikhael Fridel capture the delicate tension between innocence and hardship, while supporting roles, including Lyna Khoudri as Mahmud’s mother, deepen the narrative’s emotional resonance. Stylised sequences offer glimpses into the children’s dreams and hopes, balancing the grim realities around them with moments of wonder and imagination. Off-screen, the production mirrored its story: the young actors and their families formed genuine friendships, blurring the line between art and lived experience. The broadcast, accompanied by a thoughtful discussion, aims not only to reflect on life amid suffering but also to highlight the enduring capacity for hope and connection in the face of a genocidal war.