About · YAW STUDIO

Built on the work of Yasser Abu Wazna.

Documentary filmmaking, visual journalism and field production from Gaza, brought together in a founder-led production studio.

Yasser’s independent practice spans more than 15 years of work for international media and documentary audiences. YAW STUDIO carries that experience into new commissions, guided by accuracy, context and respect for the people whose stories are told.

Yasser Abu Wazna — documentary director and field producer

Gaza, PalestineYAW STUDIO

Founder

Yasser Abu Wazna

Documentary Director · Video Journalist · Field Producer · Visual Storyteller

Yasser Abu Wazna is a Gaza-based documentary director, video journalist and field producer. He directed and produced Paralestine, directed and field-produced Left Hook for TRT World, and has contributed Gaza-based visual journalism and field production to Business Insider and other international projects. His work spans documentary film, reporting and humanitarian communication. He develops stories through research and relationships, works with contributors with care, and coordinates production with remote teams under changing field conditions. YAW STUDIO is the professional identity through which he brings that experience to new commissions.

FIELD PRACTICE

Each commission begins with a clear understanding of the story, its audience, intended use and practical requirements. Yasser brings local research, interviews, filming and field coordination together with the needs of editors and producers working remotely.

Conditions on the ground can change. Access, safety, contributor protection and delivery timelines are assessed honestly as the work develops. The aim is material that is visually strong, accurately contextualised and useful to the team commissioning it.

Local knowledge. Editorial discipline.

OUR VALUES

Principles behind the work

Principles that shape every commission, field decision and delivery.

  1. Accuracy & Context

    Verify details, identify uncertainties and provide the context needed to understand and use the material responsibly.

  2. Dignity & Care

    Treat contributors as people with agency, respect their boundaries and make careful decisions about consent and exposure.

  3. Local Understanding

    Bring firsthand knowledge of Gaza’s communities and changing conditions to research, access and decisions in the field.

  4. Craft & Precision

    Give images, sound, interviews and accompanying information the attention each story and commission requires.

  5. Adaptability

    Adjust plans and workflows as conditions change while keeping the editorial purpose and people’s safety in view.

  6. Reliability

    Set realistic expectations, communicate constraints promptly and deliver organised material suited to the agreed brief.

SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS

Recognition & professional credits

Individual recognition, credited team awards and documentary screenings from Yasser Abu Wazna’s work in Gaza.

  1. Rory Peck Award · 2025

    Yasser Abu Wazna won the News Features Award for his work on Business Insider’s Satellite Images Track Four Gaza Businesses Upended by War.

  2. duPont–Columbia · 2026

    Credited as field producer and videographer on the Business Insider documentary awarded a duPont–Columbia Silver Baton.

  3. SABEW Best in Business · 2025

    Named among the Business Insider team behind Gaza’s Economic Collapse, winner of the International Reporting award in the large division.

  4. Paralestine · Festivals & Education

    Directed by Yasser Abu Wazna, Paralestine was nominated for the Vito Maggio Prize at Italy’s 2023 Paladino d’Oro Sport Film Festival, screened at Leuven’s 2026 disABILITY Film Festival, and included in a Spring 2026 course at Loyola University Maryland.

Testimonials

Professional perspectives

What editors and collaborators say about working with Yasser Abu Wazna.

"Yasser worked continuously for Rai – the Italian public broadcaster – during 2026. He is a talented filmmaker who works with passion and dedication. He combines a sharp journalistic instinct with a strong aesthetic sense and excellent directing skills. Resourceful and enthusiastic, he consistently overcame the major challenges of working in Gaza."

Chiara Avesani, RAI

"Yasser is one of the most dedicated and skilled video journalists I have ever worked with. He is creative and has an eye for a great story, a great character, and a great shot. We've been working with him for years at Insider, on everything from features to breaking news. He can field produce and shoot it all! He is also great at communicating and delivering on time, and beyond expectations. Highly recommend."

Erica Berenstein, Executive Producer and Documentary Filmmaker

"Yasser was wonderful to work with, he is so friendly and positive. The footage is beautiful, he was communicative and followed our production guide perfectly! Thank you Yasser!!"

Beryl Shereshewsky, Great Big Story

"Yasser is a fantastic video journalist. He is dedicated to telling the stories of the people of Gaza, and humanising the situation there. His pitches are always relevant, timely and unique. And his shooting is cinematic. I'm happy to call Yasser a colleague who I can rely on for many types of stories."

Sakhr Al-Makhadhi, Journalist and Presenter, Al Jazeera

"Yasser is an exceptional storyteller and filmmaker, thinking through ideas to raise the bar on each project. Regardless of the assignment size, Yasser delivers on time with more content/footage than requested for back-and-forth collaboration."

Mary-Margaret Cimino, Global Citizen

"While working with Yasser in a unique women's project in Gaza I found him to be serious and hard working. When we had to work long distance, Yasser was detailed and prompt in communication and work was carried out effectively. He cared deeply about the purpose of our project and this was evident in extra work he did, and in the fine results. He also got along well with others. I would recommend him highly."