Sderot film festival unveils 25-year milestone with new talent incubator

The Cinema of the South Festival is set to mark its 25th anniversary at the Sderot Cinematheque in Israel from November 1 to 5. The event, founded by the School of Audio and Visual Arts at Sapir Academic College, will showcase a mix of television premieres, international cinema, and interactive sessions with industry professionals.

The opening night focuses 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 manage a pub together. The evening will also host the world premiere of the first two episodes of the series' second season.

Beyond the main series, the program includes advance screenings of several KAN productions. Audiences will see "Motherland," a comedy-drama directed by Yael Hedaya and starring Dana Ivgy, Sasson Gabay, and Alma Zack. The festival also screens "Whose Daughter Are You?" and "The Pshute," allowing viewers to meet the directors and creators behind these popular titles, including Dan Messer and Bar Elmaliach Donzov.

A major new initiative, Negba, will be launched during the closing ceremony. This incubator is designed to support young filmmakers from Sderot and the western Negev. The program aligns with the festival's goal to spotlight local creators, including those whose work examines life in the three years following the October 7 Hamas-led massacres.

The festival will also feature new work from returning Sapir graduates. Efrat Corem will present "Heart of Gold," while Shir Houri Abu shows the documentary "100 Gates." Tal Avitan, a local filmmaker, will screen "Carlos Outside the Lines," a story about a children's soccer coach in Kiryat Gat. Regional programming includes "Sketches of the Soul," a collection of five shorts by western Negev filmmakers, and the premiere of Sami Shalom Chetrit's "My Beloved Gourama."

The event closes with a preview of Iris Zaki's "What Was She Thinking?" and a tribute to editor Nili Feller, a two-time Ophir Award winner. This tribute includes screenings of four films Feller edited and a master class. Swiss director Thomas Imbach will also present two films and lead a session in cooperation with the Swiss Embassy. Eight winning films from previous festival editions will be screened throughout the week.

The festival serves as a platform for both established and emerging voices in southern Israeli cinema. By combining premieres with educational workshops, the event aims to connect audiences with the regional film community. The full schedule and details are available on the Sapir Academic College website.