Sderot festival turns twenty-five

For the past three years, the landscape of southern Israeli cinema has been shaped by a singular and traumatic event. The upcoming festival aims to reflect that shift. The Cinema of the South Festival is set to open its twenty-fifth annual edition at the Sderot Cinematheque from November 1 to 5.

The event was originally established by the School of Audio and Visual Arts at Sapir Academic College. As it reaches this milestone, the organizers are placing a specific emphasis on creators from Sderot and the wider western Negev. This year’s program specifically highlights works that examine the social and emotional realities of the region in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas-led massacres. The timeline of the festival’s growth mirrors the broader cultural processing of these recent events.

The schedule begins with a high-profile evening featuring Hanan Savyon and Guy Amir. The pair will discuss their Netflix series, Bros, which centers on two childhood friends and Beitar Jerusalem supporters who co-own a local pub. Their friendship is tested by a cascade of crises throughout the show. The opening night will also serve as the world premiere for the first two episodes of the series’ second season. This blend of commercial streaming content and local celebration suggests a deliberate effort to bridge international audiences with the festival’s regional roots.

Beyond the main stage, the festival offers advance screenings of several prominent KAN productions. One such title is Motherland, a comedy-drama directed by Yael Hedaya and starring Dana Ivgy, Sasson Gabay, and Alma Zack. Another session will feature the documentary series Whose Daughter Are You, which explores the experiences of Mizrahi women in Israel. The project is directed by Efrat Shalom Danon and Keren Shayo, with Osnat Trabelsi serving as producer. These selections indicate a focus on narrative depth and specific demographic storytelling.

The lineup also includes a gathering of the creative team behind The Pshute, a popular KAN series. Attendees can expect to meet director Dan Messer alongside creators Bar Elmaliach Donzov, Chen Rotman, and Oshrit Sarusi. These meetings are designed to offer insight into the production processes behind well-known Israeli television. The inclusion of these specific crews underscores the festival's role as a networking hub for the industry.

The festival will conclude with a preview of What Was She Thinking, a film by Iris Zaki that explores the decision to remain childless within Israeli society. Zaki currently heads the school’s master’s degree program, linking the closing event back to the institution’s academic mission. The finale also serves as a tribute to editor Nili Feller, a two-time Ophir Award recipient. The celebration will include a screening of four films she edited, a master class, and discussions with prominent figures like Ari Folman and Dani Rosenberg.

Graduates from Sapir Academic College will also present their new work. Efrat Corem will screen Heart of Gold, which stars Chen Amsalem, Menashe Noy, and Israel Atias. Other alumni presentations include the documentary 100 Gates by Shir Houri Abu and Carlos Outside the Lines by Sderot filmmaker Tal Avitan. The latter focuses on a children’s soccer coach in Kiryat Gat. Eight previous winners from past editions will also be shown, providing a retrospective view of the festival’s history.

The regional programming block includes Sketches of the Soul, a collection of five short films by western Negev creators about life after October 7. The festival will also host the premiere of My Beloved Gourama by Sami Shalom Chetrit, a film following his father’s life in Morocco and Israel. International involvement is evident through Swiss director Thomas Imbach, who will present two films and lead a master class in cooperation with the Swiss Embassy. The closing ceremony will launch Negba, a new incubator designed to support young filmmakers from the south. Further details are available on the Sapir Academic College website.