Alana Hadid, the activist and older sister of supermodels Bella and Gigi Hadid, has parted ways with the Palestinian film distribution company she helped launch, citing a financial dispute. The 40-year-old announced her departure from Watermelon Pictures, where she served as creative director, in a lengthy social media statement on Friday.
The Heart of the Dispute
In her statement, Hadid revealed that funding to support her role at the company had run out, leaving her with little choice but to step away. She emphasised that she was never a salaried employee or an equity holder, but had taken on the work with immense passion. "I thought this was my forever work and in many ways, it still is, which makes this moment all the more heartbreaking," she wrote.
Hadid clarified in a follow-up that she had been paid as an independent contractor during her tenure, but the end of her contract signalled the conclusion of her formal involvement. "I support Watermelon Pictures, though I'm sad that I couldn't stay on, business is business," she added, expressing continued solidarity with the firm's mission.
A Mission to Amplify Palestinian Voices
Watermelon Pictures, co-founded by brothers Badie Ali and Hamza Ali, is dedicated to amplifying voices from marginalised communities, with a sharp focus on Palestinian creators and narratives. Its slogan, 'from the river to the screen', is a deliberate play on the politically charged phrase 'from the river to the sea'.
Hadid's role extended beyond creative direction; she acted as an unofficial brand ambassador, leveraging her substantial social media following of over 800,000 on Instagram to garner significant media attention for the independent venture. Her exit follows the recent hiring of former Walt Disney executive Nabil Kazi as the new EVP of Marketing and Brand Development.
Growth Amidst High-Profile Departure
Despite this high-profile departure, Watermelon Pictures continues to expand. In May, the company launched its own streaming service, Watermelon+, and recently acquired North American distribution rights to 'The Six Billion Dollar Man', a documentary about WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange that debuted at Cannes.
The company has already seen critical success with films like the documentary 'Israelism', which topped Apple TV charts and won awards, though it faced criticism from some pro-Israel groups. Hadid, a vocal Palestinian activist, has been outspoken about her desire to see Palestinian stories normalised in mainstream entertainment, telling The Cut last year, "I want to see a Palestinian romantic comedy."
Her departure marks a significant shift for the company she helped bring into the spotlight, even as it pursues an ambitious growth trajectory.
