BY EMMA ABATA

On Friday, October 3, at 7:00 PM, the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos will host a free community screening of The Wanted 18, an internationally acclaimed documentary that blends animation, interviews, and archival footage to tell one of the most unusual stories of nonviolent resistance in recent history.

The film follows the true events of a small Palestinian town during the First Intifada, where residents set out to produce their own milk as an act of independence and defiance. When 18 cows became the target of the occupying military, the villagers’ determination turned into a remarkable—and often humorous—struggle for self-sufficiency.

Directed by Amer Shomali and Paul Cowan, The Wanted 18 has received widespread recognition, including the Best Documentary Award at the Carthage Film Festival and Canada’s Best Feature-Length Documentary at Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival. It was also Palestine’s official submission for the 2015 Academy Awards. Critics have praised the film for its creative use of stop-motion animation and its ability to balance sharp political insight with a playful, accessible style.

The screening will take place at the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos, 1738 North Sage Street, and is free and open to the public. Donations will be collected for The Sameer Project, a Palestinian led grassroot organization sourcing aid inside Gaza for people in need. Community members are encouraged to attend and engage with this powerful story of resilience, creativity, and hope.