The story of the Gaza Sunbirds begins when a young Gazan cycling champion’s life is changed forever by an Israeli sniper’s bullet.
This is a film about resilience, sacrifice, and the pursuit of dreams against all odds. As Ala’a rebuilds his life, he seizes a new dream: to compete as a para-cyclist in the Paralympics. His vision draws in other young hopefuls and they face down immense challenges together as The Gaza Sunbirds. When the latest war begins, the Sunbirds respond by distributing over $400,000 of humanitarian aid on their bikes – before miraculously escaping Gaza to race internationally for the first time. But is it fair to leave behind their war-torn Gazan families, just to cycle?
This rapidly evolving story challenges us to rethink Gaza, masculinity and disability. At this moment of death, destruction and division, the Sunbirds story transcends politics and sport to become a statement of the desire to live freely and maintain a purpose.
Participant: Flavia Cappellini