Sderot festival turns 25 and launches fund for local filmmakers

The Cinema of the South Festival begins its 25th edition on November 1 at the Sderot Cinematheque. Running through November 5, the event marks a quarter-century of operation. The program includes television premieres, international films, and competitions. This year's schedule places a specific focus on creators from Sderot and the western Negev.

The festival originated at the School of Audio and Visual Arts at Sapir Academic College. Organizers state that this year's lineup examines life in the three years following the October 7 Hamas-led attacks. Several screenings feature works that directly address the impact of those events on local communities.

The opening night features a discussion with Hanan Savyon and Guy Amir. They will talk about their Netflix series "Bros." The event will include the world premiere of the first two episodes of the show's second season. The series follows two Beitar Jerusalem fans who run a pub in Jerusalem.

Advance screenings include "Motherland," a comedy-drama by Yael Hedaya. The film stars Dana Ivgy, Sasson Gabay, and Alma Zack. Audiences will also view "Whose Daughter Are You?" This documentary series from KAN focuses on Mizrahi women in Israel. It is directed by Efrat Shalom Danon and Keren Shayo.

Another session hosts the creative team behind the KAN series "The Pshute." Participants include director Dan Messer and creators Bar Elmaliach Donzov, Chen Rotman, and Oshrit Sarusi. The festival will also show "Sketches of the Soul." This collection of five shorts by western Negev filmmakers documents life after October 7.

Graduates from Sapir Academic College will present new projects. Efrat Corem shows "Heart of Gold," starring Chen Amsalem and Menashe Noy. Shir Houri Abu presents the documentary "100 Gates." Sderot filmmaker Tal Avitan screens "Carlos Outside the Lines," a story about a soccer coach in Kiryat Gat. Swiss director Thomas Imbach will also present two films and lead a master class in cooperation with the Swiss Embassy.

The festival closes with a preview of Iris Zaki's "What Was She Thinking?" The film explores the choice not to have children in Israeli society. Zaki heads the school's master's degree program. The closing ceremony will launch Negba, a new incubator for young filmmakers from the south. It will also honor editor Nili Feller, a two-time Ophir Award winner, with four films she edited and meetings with directors including Ari Folman and Dani Rosenberg.