Who Killed Alex Odeh? is a 2026 American documentary film directed by Jason Osder and William Lafi Youmans. It investigates the 1985 assassination of Palestinian-American activist Alex Odeh.
| Who Killed Alex Odeh? | |
|---|---|
| Directed by |
|
| Produced by |
|
| Edited by |
|
| Music by | Dana Kaproff |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | Watermelon Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 84 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Languages |
|
The film premiered in the U.S. Documentary Competition at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Special Jury Award for Journalistic Excellence. It had its international premiere out of competition of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on February 17.
Premise
editThe film documents the assassination of Alex Odeh, a Palestinian-American activist, teacher, and poet who was killed by a tripwire bomb in his office in Santa Ana, California, in October 1985. The directors use archival footage and contemporary investigation to trace the 40-year inquiry into the case. They identify extremist forces potentially behind the attack and examine the lack of accountability that followed.[1]
Production
editThe film is co-directed by Jason Osder and William Lafi Youmans. Osder is known for the archival documentary Let the Fire Burn (2013). Youmans is a scholar of journalism and an associate professor at George Washington University.[1]
The project began development more than a decade prior to its release. In 2014, the directors received a grant from the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program to investigate the circumstances of Odeh's death.[2] In 2023, Osder and Youmans were awarded the Alex Odeh Award by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) for their work on the film.[3]
The film is produced by Dawne Langford and Daniel J. Chalfen of Naked Edge Films, alongside the directors. It features music by composer Dana Kaproff.
Release
editWho Killed Alex Odeh? was announced as part of the U.S. Documentary Competition at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on December 10, 2025.[4] It premiered on January 26, 2026 and won the Special Jury Award for Journalistic Excellence.[5] The film had its international premiere on February 17, 2026 at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival in the section "Berlinale Special Presentation".[6] In June 2026, the North American distribution rights were acquired by Watermelon Pictures.[7]
References
edit- 1 2 "2026 Sundance Film Festival Program: Who Killed Alex Odeh?". Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ↑ Russell, Lauren (March 27, 2014). "Media professors to investigate unsolved murder in documentary". The GW Hatchet. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
- ↑ "Announcing the Recipients of the 2023 Alex Odeh Award". American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. September 12, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
- ↑ "2026 Sundance Film Festival unveils final Park City line-up". Screen Daily. December 10, 2025. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 30, 2026). "Sundance Film Festival Awards Winners: 'Josephine' Takes U.S. Grand Jury Prize & Audience Award". Deadline. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Who Killed Alex Odeh?". berlinale.de. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ↑ Minton, Matt (June 12, 2026). "'Who Killed Alex Odeh?' Acquired by Watermelon Pictures for North America After Winning Sundance Documentary Award (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
