On February 5, 2026, UCM.ONE will release Amber Fares’ award-winning documentary “Coexistence, My Ass!” in theaters in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The film documents the journey of Israeli comedian and activist Noam Shuster Eliassi over several years and shows how political humor, personal conviction, and social reality are increasingly merging. The film celebrated its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where it was honored with the “World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Freedom of Expression.” In December 2025, “Coexistence, My Ass!” was shortlisted for this year’s Oscars® and is one of the most internationally acclaimed documentaries of the year.
On the eve of the film’s theatrical release, UCM.ONE, in cooperation with the Jewish Film Festival Berlin Brandenburg (JFBB), the organization Friends of Standing Together Berlin, and the New Israel Fund (NIF) Germany, invites you to the theatrical premiere at the Filmtheater am Friedrichshain in Berlin on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. Following the screening of the film, which will be shown in its original version with English subtitles, the audience can look forward to a live digital Q&A session with director Amber Fares and producer Rachel Leah Jones. Naomi Levari from the JFBB program committee will moderate the evening. The film discussion will be conducted in English.
Synopsis
“Coexistence, my Ass!” follows Israeli activist and comedian Noam Shuster Eliassi as she creates her comedy show of the same name. Filmed over a turbulent five-year period, the documentary traces Noam’s personal, professional, and political journey against the backdrop of the steadily deteriorating situation in the region.
Raised in the bilingual Israeli-Palestinian village of Wahat al-Salam – Neve Shalom (Oasis of Peace), a deliberately integrated community, Noam increasingly loses faith in traditional peace activism. She turns to stand-up comedy and quickly gains attention throughout the Middle East. But as her star rises, everything around her collapses.
With biting satire, Noam confronts her audience with difficult truths that are not always funny, but remind us that another reality is possible.
Film distributor UCM.ONE will release “Coexistence, My Ass!” in theaters in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland on February 5, 2026, on its film label Nonfy Documentaries.
Film details
| Title: | Coexistence, My Ass! |
| Director: | Amber Fares |
| Screenplay: | Amber Fares |
| Producers: | Amber Fares, Rachel Leah Jones |
| Cast: | Naom Shuster Eliassi, among others |
| Countries of production: | USA, France |
| Year of production: | 2025 |
| Running time: | 95 minutes |
| Language versions: | Original version |
| Original languages: | English, Hebrew, Arabic, Farsi |
| Subtitles: | German, English |
| Rating: | Approved for ages 12 and up (requested) |
Selection of previous awards at festivals:
- 2025 Sundance: „World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Freedom of Expression“ -> Coexistence, My Ass!
- 2025 Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival: “International Competition Golden Alexander” -> Coexistence, My Ass!
- 2025 Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival: “Human Rights in Motion Award” -> Coexistence, My Ass!
- 2025 Full Frame: “Center for Documentary Studies Filmmaker Award” -> Coexistence, My Ass!
- 2025 Millennium Docs Against Gravit: “Lower Silesia Grand Prix” -> Coexistence, My Ass!
- 2025 Dokufest: “Best Youth Film Award” -> Coexistence, My Ass!
- 2025 Woodstock FF: “Honorable Mention: Best Feature Documentary” -> Coexistence, My Ass!
- 2025 Woodstock FF: “Best Editing Documentary Award” -> Coexistence, My Ass!
- 2025 Festival de cinéma de la ville de Québec: “Emerging Talent Award” -> Coexistence, My Ass!
- 2025 Cinema Eye Honors: “Unforgettables Award“ -> Noam Shuster Eliassi
- 2025 Centre FF: Jury Award “Best Documentary Feature” -> Coexistence, My Ass!
- 2025 Boston Jewish FF: „Audience Award” -> Coexistence, My Ass!
- 2025 Torino FF: „Gandhi’s Glasses Award” -> Coexistence, My Ass!
Further information about the film: “Coexistence, my Ass!” (Coming Soon)
