Sderot Film Festival Turns 25 and Launches New Fund for Local Creators

The Cinema of the South Festival will hold its 25th edition at the Sderot Cinematheque from November 1 to 5. The program includes 25 distinct screenings, television premieres, and master classes. The event is organized by the School of Audio and Visual Arts at Sapir Academic College.

This year's lineup emphasizes work from Sderot and the western Negev. Many of the selected pieces examine daily life in the three years following the October 7 Hamas-led massacres. The festival aims to showcase how the region's creative scene has evolved during this period.

The opening night on November 1 features Hanan Savyon and Guy Amir. They will discuss their Netflix series "Bros" before showing the world premiere of the first two episodes of its second season. The show follows two childhood friends who run a pub in Jerusalem while navigating personal and professional crises.

Audiences will see advance screenings of "Motherland," a comedy-drama directed by Yael Hedaya. The film stars Dana Ivgy, Sasson Gabay, and Alma Zack. The program also includes "Whose Daughter Are You?" and "The Pshute," both popular KAN series. Directors and creators from these productions will join the audience for Q&A sessions.

The festival will close with a preview of Iris Zaki's film "What Was She Thinking?" The movie explores the decision to remain childless in Israeli society. Zaki directs the master's degree program at the school. The closing ceremony will also honor editor Nili Feller, a two-time Ophir Award winner. Her tribute includes four films she edited and a master class with Ari Folman and Dani Rosenberg.

Regional programming includes "Sketches of the Soul," a set of five short films by western Negev creators. Sami Shalom Chetrit will premiere "My Beloved Gourama," which documents his father's life in Morocco and Israel. Swiss director Thomas Imbach will present two films and lead a session in cooperation with the Swiss Embassy.

The closing ceremony will launch Negba, a new incubator for young filmmakers from the south. This initiative provides a new funding stream for local creators. The festival will also screen eight winning films from previous editions to mark the anniversary.