Sderot Film Festival Hits 25 With 2026 Premieres and New Incubator

Sapir Academic College is preparing to celebrate a major milestone this month. The institution is hosting the 25th edition of the Cinema of the South Festival at the Sderot Cinematheque. The event will run from November 1 through November 5. It serves as a comprehensive showcase for contemporary cinema. The program blends television debuts with both domestic and international feature films. Attendees can also participate in workshops, competitions, and musical performances.

The festival has its roots in the college’s School of Audio and Visual Arts. That academic unit originally established the event. This year’s lineup places a specific emphasis on creators based in Sderot and the western Negev region. Several of the featured works directly address the local experience. Specifically, they explore life in the three years following the October 7 Hamas-led massacres in Israel. This focus highlights how local filmmakers are processing recent history through their art.

The opening night sets a high-profile tone for the proceedings. Hanan Savyon and Guy Amir will take the stage to discuss their Netflix series, Bros. Following the conversation, the audience will see the world premiere of the first two episodes from the show’s second season. The series follows two childhood friends who are devoted fans of Beitar Jerusalem. They operate a pub together while navigating a series of crises that strain their long-term friendship.

Beyond the opening event, the schedule offers several significant television debuts. Viewers will watch Motherland, a comedy-drama produced by KAN. Directed by Yael Hedaya, the show stars Dana Ivgy, Sasson Gabay, and Alma Zack. Another key screening is the documentary series Whose Daughter Are You?. This KAN production examines the lives of Mizrahi women in Israel. Efrat Shalom Danon and Keren Shayo directed the series, with Osnat Trabelsi handling production duties. Fans of the hit KAN series The Pshute will also have an opportunity to meet its creative team, which includes director Dan Messer and creators Bar Elmaliach Donzov, Chen Rotman, and Oshrit Sarusi.

The festival’s closing ceremony focuses on the work of Iris Zaki. She will present a preview of What Was She Thinking?. This film explores the choice to remain childless within the context of Israeli society. Zaki currently heads the master’s degree program at the host school. The event also serves as a tribute to editor Nili Feller, a recipient of two Ophir Awards. The tribute includes a screening of four films she edited, a master class, and discussions with prominent figures such as Ari Folman and Dani Rosenberg.

Returning alumni from Sapir College will also present new projects. Efrat Corem will showcase Heart of Gold, a film starring Chen Amsalem, Menashe Noy, and Israel Atias. Shir Houri Abu will present the documentary 100 Gates. Additionally, Sderot-based filmmaker Tal Avitan will screen Carlos Outside the Lines. That film profiles a children’s soccer coach in Kiryat Gat. The program also includes a retrospective of eight winning films from previous years of the festival.

Regional themes continue throughout the week with the screening of Sketches of the Soul. This collection features five short films created by western Negev directors. They all depict life in the aftermath of October 7. The festival also hosts the premiere of My Beloved Gourama. Directed by Sami Shalom Chetrit, the film traces his father’s life in both Morocco and Israel. International participation is marked by Swiss director Thomas Imbach, who will present two films and lead a master class in cooperation with the Swiss Embassy.

The final event of the week includes the launch of a new initiative called Negba. This incubator is designed to support young filmmakers from the southern region. The college’s website provides further details about the festival and its various programs.