Dogwoof Grabs 'Birds of War' Global Rights for Sundance Debut

Dogwoof has grabbed the worldwide distribution rights for the powerful feature documentary *Birds of War*, gearing up for its big world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in the World Cinema Documentary Competition. Picture this: a real-life romance unfolding between London-dwelling Lebanese journalist Janay Boulos and Syrian activist-turned-cameraman Abd Alkader Habak. They sift through 13 years of raw personal footage capturing revolutions, brutal wars, and heartbreaking exile—it's their directorial debut, co-produced by Sonja Henrici alongside Boulos and Habak themselves.

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Dogwoof's CCO Oli Harbottle couldn't hold back his excitement: "'Birds of War' weaves an extraordinary, up-close love story amid the chaos of conflict. Through decades of private archives, it delivers raw emotional insight into the toll of war, displacement, and the burden of witnessing it all firsthand." You feel every pulse of their journey, making this *Birds of War* documentary a must-watch for anyone hooked on intimate war stories.

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Producer Sonja Henrici shares the magic: "'Birds of War' dives into Janay and Habak's private footage to uncover tales mainstream news overlooks. I'm thrilled to bring this to screens in 2026, especially as its core question lingers: How do we stay connected across our divides?" It's that kind of film that sticks with you, blending personal stakes with global turmoil.

Boulos and Habak reflect on their creation: "Making 'Birds of War' took us beyond borders and politics, threading our love through Lebanon's and Syria's wars, uprisings, and ever-changing realities. It echoes our region's tangled mess but boils down to a human quest for bonds—proving love thrives even in shattered worlds." Habak adds how conflict twists relationships, identities, and senses of home across frontiers. Boulos chimes in that it's their private log of romance, uprooting, and endurance, forged in live history amid revolts and banishment.

Screen Scotland's Mark Thomas, who backed the project, sums it up: "This is the gut-punching, emotional romance of directors Janay and Habak, whose fateful clash in war's frenzy forever altered their paths." Fans of Sundance premieres and Dogwoof documentaries will eat this up—it's got that rare mix of tenderness and grit that hits hard.