MA Documentary and Factual grad Ibrahim Nash’at nominated for prestigious award
By MetFilm School
07 May 2025
We’re proud to share that MetFilm School Berlin graduate Ibrahim Nash’at, who studied the MA Documentary & Factual course, has been nominated for Best Documentary at the 2025 German Film Awards (Deutscher Filmpreis) for his extraordinary feature, Hollywoodgate.
Directed, filmed, and co-written by Nash’at, Hollywoodgate offers an unprecedented look inside the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan following the US and NATO withdrawal in 2021. The documentary follows the transformation of a former US military base (nicknamed ‘Hollywood Gate’) into a central command post for the Taliban, capturing their evolution from insurgent militia to organised military regime. Filmed over the course of a year, Nash’at’s work provides a rare and intimate look into the Taliban’s internal operations.
The film has already made waves internationally, premiering at the Venice Film Festival and screening at prestigious festivals including Telluride, Zurich, and Sheffield DocFest. It also received a Directors Guild of America Award nomination, cementing its place as one of the most important documentaries of the year.
Nash’at, who previously worked as a journalist with Deutsche Welle and Al Jazeera, credits his time at MetFilm School Berlin as pivotal in his transition to long-form storytelling.
“When I found MetFilm School, it met all of my requirements as it was a one-year course that would give me a deeper insight into the world of documentary filmmaking. I was also keen on a practical course and not just studying in a classroom,” says Nash’at. “I came to the school as a technician, I graduated as a filmmaker.”
We’re also proud to share that MA Screen & Film Production lecturer, Sol Bondy, and his production company One Two Films, have been nominated for their work on Köln 75, which has been nominated in the Best Feature Film category.
The German Film Awards ceremony will take place on 9 May 2025, and we’re hoping that Ibrahim and Sol come out on top!
Ready to tell real stories that make an impact?
At MetFilm School, our MA Documentary & Factual course gives aspiring filmmakers the skills, confidence, and creative space to explore the world through compelling visual storytelling.
You’ll learn to develop and pitch ideas, shoot and edit your own documentaries, and explore a range of formats – from observational and investigative to personal and poetic. Through hands-on workshops, industry mentoring, and collaborative projects, you’ll gain the tools to craft authentic stories that connect with audiences and create change.
Apply now to study MA Documentary & Factual in September 2025 in Berlin or Leeds, and start shaping the stories that matter.
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