Films about October 7, 2023
October 7, 2023, marks a tragic and historic date for Israel: on that day, around 6,000 Hamas terrorists launched an unprecedented coordinated attack from the Gaza Strip, along with approximately 1,000 additional operatives firing more than 4,300 rockets at Israel in just a few minutes.
These terrorists breached 119 border crossings, massacring more than 1,200 Israelis, including 695 civilians (36 children), and committing acts of barbarism in at least 21 communities — notably at the Nova music festival, where nearly 378 people were killed. Around 250 hostages, including women and children, were also taken.
Following this unprecedented terrorist attack — the deadliest single day for Jews since the Holocaust — Israel launched a major military operation in the Gaza Strip. Its objectives: destroy Hamas’ military and political capacity, secure its borders, and above all, rescue the hostages held by the terrorist group.
In this dramatic context, cinema and documentary filmmakers mobilized to bear witness, analyze, and preserve the memory of this event.
Here is a comprehensive selection of major films and documentaries, with detailed synopses.
Documentaries about October 7
The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue
This documentary follows Israeli General Noam Tibon, who led a heroic rescue mission during the October 7 massacre at Kibbutz Nahal Oz.
The film reveals the courage and challenges of an operation under enemy fire, with moving testimonies illustrating the struggle to save lives in total chaos.
Les guetteuses du 7 octobre
This film pays tribute to the young female soldiers of Kibbutz Nahal Oz, the first to detect the arrival of terrorists. Combining interviews and footage, it provides a direct and human testimony from the frontline of Hamas’s brutal attack.
Watch on France TV (Oct 5, 9:05 PM – France 5 / france.tv)
Bearing Witness to the October 7th Massacre
A shocking film composed of footage shot by both Hamas and Israeli forces. It exposes the raw violence of the massacre and has been used in private screenings for diplomats and military personnel, sparking debate on the ethical implications of showing such distressing images.
BEYOND OCTOBER 7th – Jasmine Kainy
Three generations of the Gad family physically survived October 7. This intimate documentary begins two days after their rescue and explores how each family member copes differently with the aftermath of the massacre.
Their closest friends were murdered or kidnapped, their homes lost, yet they continue to fight for the survival of their Be’eri community. Amid fear and trauma, hope glimmers in the eyes of everyone — from grandparents to grandchildren.
Israel: Remembering October 7
A documentary that examines how Israel is constructing the memorial narrative of October 7, blending victim testimonies, political analysis, and the challenges of collective memory.
A Letter to David – Tom Shoval
The film is a personal cinematic letter from filmmaker Tom Shoval to David Cunio, abducted by Hamas from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7 and held hostage in Gaza. A decade earlier, David and his twin brother Eitan starred in Shoval’s debut feature, which won multiple awards.
Screams Before Silence
A harrowing documentary centered on testimonies of victims and first responders, focusing particularly on sexual violence committed during the attack — shedding light on often-silenced atrocities.
The Killing Roads
This documentary explores the terrorist ambushes on southern Israeli roads, revealing the full extent of terror in a hostile environment.
October 7th: Voices of Pain, Hope and Heroism
Intersecting portraits of five Israelis deeply affected by the tragedy — mixing sorrow, hope, and extraordinary resilience.
October 7, 2023 (TV Mini-Series)
A seven-part docuseries detailing the events and their human, military, and political consequences.
Tattooed For Life
A short film about a tattoo artist commemorating the victims through symbolic artworks — blending art and remembrance.
06:30 (2024)
Seven moving survivor testimonies recreated through miniatures and animation — avoiding graphic footage but deeply impactful.
Survivors of the Supernova Festival (2025)
A documentary following five survivors of the Supernova festival massacre, detailing their terror and profound loss.
October 7th: One Year On (2024)
One year later, this documentary assesses the conflict’s aftermath through testimonies and political analysis.
October 7th: One Day in October (2025) – HBO
A docuseries reconstructing the attack in real time through personal accounts and political context.
The Hamas System (2025)
An in-depth documentary on Hamas’ strategy during the attack and its far-reaching consequences.
Eyes Wide Open (2024)
The story of three Israeli female soldiers kidnapped during the attack, offering insight into their survival journey.
The War – October 7th and its Aftermath (2025)
A documentary on the war that followed the attack — covering military, political, and human aspects.
The Boy – Yahav Winner (2023)
A film by Yahav Winner, who was killed during the attack. The docu-fiction captures the dissonance of life along the Gaza border, mixing poetry and tragedy.
Looking for Yotam (2024)
A personal account of Israeli musician Yotam Haïm, kidnapped during the massacre and tragically killed by friendly fire after escaping. The documentary explores his struggles and his family’s grief.
The Children of October 7 (2024)
A documentary about seven Israeli children who survived the massacre — exploring trauma, loss, and resilience.
Fiction Films about October 7: What Stories Are Emerging?
Off Dogs and Men – Dani Rosenberg
Dar, 16, returns to his kibbutz to find his dog, lost during the October 7 terrorist attack.
Yes – Nadav Lapid
A dramatic fiction exploring social tensions in post-October 7 Israel through the life of a jazz musician.
Coming to French theaters on September 17, 2025.
Red Flower – Haim Bouzaglo
October 7, 2023, 6:30 AM. A siren blares in Sderot. Retired couple Annette and Albert lock themselves in their safe room. Their son is at the Nova festival. Outside and inside, horror unfolds — through the window and on the screen. The film retraces 24 hours of their life.
Animated Short Film
FINAL CHORD – Ruth Blory & Itai Osterman
On the morning of October 7, two childhood friends are on opposite sides of the attack. Keren is dancing at the Nova festival. Lily, at home, is sent to a bomb shelter. Their connection breaks, and Lily realizes something horrible has happened. Only music can restore the link.
