QUICK FACTS
Date of Birth
1971
Bil'in, West Bank, Palestine
Place of Birth
Why Featured?
Emad Burnat, an olive farmer turned documentarian, powerfully captured the nonviolent resistance in his village, Bil'in, against the Israeli occupation. His unique perspective as a local filming daily life and protests brought international attention to the Palestinian struggle.
BRIEF BIO
Emad Burnat is a Palestinian farmer and self-taught cinematographer from Bil'in. He began filming in 2005, documenting his village's resistance against the Israeli West Bank barrier. His documentary, "5 Broken Cameras," co-directed with Israeli filmmaker Guy Davidi, provides a personal and harrowing account of the nonviolent protests and the daily challenges faced by his community. Burnat's transformation from a farmer to an influential documentary filmmaker marks a significant journey in Palestinian activism and global awareness of the Palestinian cause.
LAST UPDATED
DATE
Monday, January 26, 2026
MAJOR MILESTONES
Key dates & turning points
2005: Began documenting nonviolent resistance in Bil'in against the Israeli barrier.
2010: Started editing "5 Broken Cameras" after years of documenting.
2011: Release of "5 Broken Cameras," gaining international acclaim.
2013: "5 Broken Cameras" nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary.
2013: Detained at LAX Airport while attending the Oscar ceremony.
CONTRIBUTIONS
What they did, and why it matters
Journalism: Worked as a press journalist, providing footage to Reuters for two years...See More
Nonviolent Resistance: Played a key role in documenting and promoting nonviolent resistance in Bil'in...See More
International Recognition: Brought global attention to the Palestinian cause through his documentary work...See More
Personal Narrative: Showed the reality of war and oppression in Palestine through personal filming.
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Last updated
Jan 26, 2026
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