"Holding Liat" follows parents Yehuda and Chaya after their daughter Liat Beinin Atzili and her husband Aviv are abducted from their kibbutz on October 7, spearheading a campaign for her release.
Abroad? iPlayer blocked? Watch "Holding Liat" online from anywhere with a VPN.
"Holding Liat" premieres on Tuesday, 30 September, on BBC Four and will be available to stream online via BBC iPlayer shortly afterwards.
• WATCH FREE — BBC iPlayer (U.K.)
• Canada — BBC Select
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk-free
Brandon Kramer’s intimate Storyville film "Holding Liat" follows one family’s fight for answers after October 7, 2023, when teacher and dual American-Israeli citizen Liat Beinin Atzili and her husband, Aviv, were abducted from their kibbutz during the Hamas-led attack on Israel.
The film begins with Liat’s parents, Yehuda and Chaya, as they push for her release and try to keep hope alive amid confusion and conflicting reports. As Yehuda travels to the United States to campaign for the hostages, his commitment to peace and reconciliation is tested by the political realities he encounters.
Back home, the family stays in the public eye, pressing for Liat’s inclusion in ongoing negotiations while coping with the emotional toll.
"Holding Liat" (1hr 28mins) is the winner of the Documentary Film Award at the 2025 Berlin Film Festival.
Ready for another distinctive documentary from the BBC's Storyville strand? Read on to find out where to watch "Holding Liat" online from anywhere in the world.
How to watch "Holding Liat" for free in the U.K.
How to watch "Holding Liat" from abroad
Thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network), Storyville's latest documentary, "Holding Liat" (2025), should be available to Brits, regardless of their location. The software enables your devices to appear to be back in your home country, regardless of your current location worldwide. Our favorite is NordVPN, which unblocks iPlayer and most other streaming sites.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've mentioned, NordVPN is our top choice.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're outside the U.K. and want to access a U.K. service, you'd select U.K. from the list.
3. Sit back and watch the show. Following its premiere on BBC Four on Tuesday, 30th September, head to BBC iPlayer to watch "Holding Liat" online and on demand.
Can I watch "Holding Liat" in the United States?
No confirmed U.S. streaming home for "Holding Liat" has been announced yet.
However, the filmmakers have announced a January theatrical engagement at Film Forum in New York. Keep an eye on listings for dates and ticket details.
But what if you are a Brit in the States for work or on vacation and you are longing to watch "Holding Liat"? Fear not, you can catch the show for free by using a VPN, such as NordVPN (save 70%), and selecting the U.K. from the list. This will unblock the BBC iPlayer streaming service.
Watch "Holding Liat" online and on-demand in the U.K.
"Holding Liat" will premiere on Tuesday, 30th September, 10 p.m. BST on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer as part of the Storyville autumn slate.
The programme page on BBC iPlayer will host the stream after broadcast.
Sign in to iPlayer with a free BBC account, then search "Storyville" or "Holding Liat" to start watching.
If you're not in the U.K., you can still catch the show by using one of the best VPN services, such as NordVPN.
Can I watch "Holding Liat" online or on TV in Canada?
BBC Select operates in Canada, offering a free trial and featuring BBC documentaries and Storyville titles.
"Holding Liat" has not explicitly been listed yet, so check the service around the U.K. transmission window for updates.
However, if you are a Brit in the Great White North for work or on vacation, you can catch the documentary on your own domestic streaming platform by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Can I watch "Holding Liat" online in Australia?
There is no confirmed local Australian streaming date for "Holding Liat".
However, if you are a Brit working or on vacation Down Under and you want to catch the show much earlier, you can do so by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
"Holding Liat" episode guide
"Storyville: Holding Liat" (88 minutes)
After Liat Beinin Atzili’s abduction on October 7, her family campaigns for answers. Brandon Kramer’s Storyville film captures advocacy, conflict, and hope with intimate access.
What else can I watch on BBC iPlayer?
Lots – including "Ludwig", "Tribe with Bruce Parry", "Strike: Ink Black Heart", "Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special", "Call The Midwife", "Doctor Who: Joy to the World", "Strictly Come Dancing", "Outnumbered" and plenty more.
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We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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