Sderot's Film Quarter Century: New Projects and a Filmmaker Incubator Debut

Starting November 1, residents of the western Negev and visitors to the Sderot Cinematheque can access a dedicated program of new cinematic works. The five-day event, running through November 5, offers a concentrated look at current television and film production. Audiences will have the opportunity to watch series before their wider broadcast, participate in discussions with industry professionals, and attend musical performances. This gathering serves as a central hub for the local arts community during this specific week.

The festival traces its origins to the School of Audio and Visual Arts at Sapir Academic College, which founded the event a quarter century ago. This milestone edition places a specific focus on creators from Sderot and the surrounding region. Many of the featured works explore the local experience over the past three years, a period defined by the events that began with the October 7 Hamas-led massacres in Israel. The programming reflects how the community has processed this time through visual storytelling.

The opening night centers on the Netflix series Bros, created by Hanan Savyon and Guy Amir. The two creators will appear on stage to discuss the show, which follows two childhood friends and Beitar Jerusalem fans who operate a pub together. Their friendship is tested by a series of personal and professional crises. Following the discussion, the world premiere of the first two episodes of the second season will be screened for the audience.

Other screenings include Motherland, a comedy-drama produced by KAN. Directed by Yael Hedaya, the film features performances by Dana Ivgy, Sasson Gabay, and Alma Zack. The program also presents Whose Daughter Are You?, a KAN documentary series focusing on the lives of Mizrahi women in Israel. The series is directed by Efrat Shalom Danon and Keren Shayo, with production by Osnat Trabelsi. Additionally, the team behind the popular KAN series The Pshute will appear for a session. The group includes director Dan Messer and creators Bar Elmaliach Donzov, Chen Rotman, and Oshrit Sarusi.

The event concludes with a preview of What Was She Thinking?, a film by Iris Zaki. The project examines the choice to remain childless within the context of Israeli society. Zaki leads the master's degree program at the college. The closing night also honors Nili Feller, a two-time Ophir Award winner and editor. The tribute includes screenings of four films she has edited, a master class, and meetings with filmmakers such as Ari Folman and Dani Rosenberg.

Alumni of the Sapir Academic College will also present their latest projects. Efrat Corem will screen Heart of Gold, which stars Chen Amsalem, Menashe Noy, and Israel Atias. Shir Houri Abu will present the documentary 100 Gates. Tal Avitan, a filmmaker from Sderot, will show Carlos Outside the Lines, a project about a children's soccer coach in Kiryat Gat. The lineup is rounded out by eight winning films from previous years of the festival.

Regional programming includes Sketches of the Soul, an anthology of five short films created by western Negev filmmakers. These shorts explore life in the region following October 7. The festival also marks the premiere of My Beloved Gourama, directed by Sami Shalom Chetrit. The film documents his father's life in Morocco and Israel. Swiss director Thomas Imbach will participate in the event in cooperation with the Swiss Embassy. He will present two of his films and lead a master class for attendees.

A significant new development occurs during the closing ceremony with the launch of Negba. This initiative is an incubator designed to support young filmmakers from the south. It aims to provide resources and guidance for emerging talent in the region. The festival serves as the platform to introduce this new support structure to the public. Further details regarding the schedule and participation can be found on the festival's page on the Sapir Academic College website.