Southern Filmmaking: Sderot Celebrates 25 Years

Residents of the western Negev and beyond can mark their calendars for a significant cultural milestone in Sderot. From November 1 to 5, the Cinema of the South Festival will host its 25th anniversary at the Sderot Cinematheque. The five day event offers a concentrated look at the region's evolving creative identity through television premieres, international films, and direct engagement with artists.

The festival, which was founded by the School of Audio and Visual Arts at Sapir Academic College, places a specific emphasis on local voices. This year's program highlights creators from Sderot and the western Negev. Many of these works examine life in the region over the past three years, a period defined by the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas led massacres in Israel. The selection reflects a community processing recent history through the lens of cinema.

The opening evening sets a high profile tone for the event. Hanan Savyon and Guy Amir will appear on stage to discuss their Netflix series, Bros. The duo will be joined for the world premiere of the first two episodes of the show's second season. The series follows two childhood friends and Beitar Jerusalem fans who co own a pub. As a series of crises unfolds, the narrative tests the limits of their friendship.

Advance screenings will showcase several productions from KAN, Israel's public broadcaster. The lineup includes Motherland, a comedy drama directed by Yael Hedaya. The cast features Dana Ivgy, Sasson Gabay, and Alma Zack. Audiences will also view Whose Daughter Are You?, a documentary series directed by Efrat Shalom Danon and Keren Shayo. Produced by Osnat Trabelsi, the series focuses on the lives of Mizrahi women in Israel. A separate session will host the creative team behind the popular series The Pshute, including director Dan Messer and creators Bar Elmaliach Donzov, Chen Rotman, and Oshrit Sarusi.

The festival will close with a preview of What Was She Thinking?, directed by Iris Zaki. The film explores the decision to not have children within the context of Israeli society. Zaki currently heads the master's degree program at the school. The closing night also serves as a tribute to Nili Feller, a two time Ophir Award winner and editor. The tribute will screen four films she edited and include a master class. Meetings with filmmakers Ari Folman and Dani Rosenberg are also part of this segment.

A significant portion of the program is dedicated to returning graduates from Sapir Academic College. Efrat Corem will present Heart of Gold, which stars Chen Amsalem, Menashe Noy, and Israel Atias. Shir Houri Abu will show the documentary 100 Gates. Tal Avitan, a filmmaker based in Sderot, will screen Carlos Outside the Lines. That film follows a children's soccer coach in Kiryat Gat. The festival will also revisit the past by screening eight winning films from previous editions.

Regional programming includes Sketches of the Soul, a collection of five short films by western Negev filmmakers. These works offer a collective perspective on life after October 7. The festival will also host the premiere of My Beloved Gourama by Sami Shalom Chetrit. The film traces the life of Chetrit's father in both Morocco and Israel. These selections underscore the festival's role in documenting the diverse experiences of the southern region.

International collaboration is also a key component of the event. Swiss director Thomas Imbach will present two films and lead a master class in cooperation with the Swiss Embassy. The closing ceremony will introduce Negba, a new incubator designed to support young filmmakers from the south. The event represents a significant investment in the local creative infrastructure, providing a platform for both established and emerging voices in the region.