A diverse mix of new short films. Specific titles to be announced.

A diverse collection of new short films from the School of Audio and Visual Arts at Sapir College in Israel. Titles include: Anna-Maxim (drama), Abir (drama), Les visites de la fée des dentes (animation), Ma'avrak (animation), 30 and Trying (comedy), Daybreak (sci-fi).

Khaled, a 12-year-old boy from a Palestinian village, gets the chance to see the sea for the first time in his life on a school trip. But when they reach a military checkpoint, the soldiers claim his permit is invalid and send him back home, while his classmates continue their trip. Deeply disappointed, Khaled sets out to the sea on his own, even though he doesn’t know the way and doesn’t speak Hebrew. When his father, Ribhi, an undocumented laborer working in Israel, learns that his son is missing, he leaves his job in search for him—risking arrest and the loss of his livelihood.

Grandfather and retired Israeli general Noam Tibon rescues his family from Hamas terrorists invading their home during the October 7, 2023 massacre - a coordinated assault on Israel sparking an ongoing conflict.

Peter Sichel, who was known to his friends as the “Jewish James Bond”, was one of the earliest recruits to the CIA, becoming the agency’s first station chief in postwar Berlin. This riveting documentary tells Sichel’s extraordinary life story, which intersected directly with many key historical events from World War II to the Cold War. Aged 100 years old at the time of the interviews in the film but still sharp as a tack, Sichel recounts his years as a CIA spymaster in Berlin, Washington and Hong Kong with a frank directness and a gleefully wicked sense of humour. As a German-Jewish man who fled Europe with his family before World War II broke out and worked as a covert operative during the early days of the Cold War, Sichel’s wisdom and insight into today’s global conflicts carry significant weight.

Freshly ousted from her rock band, Nomi takes a last-resort job from her best friend Mara at their childhood Jewish summer camp. As camp director Mara contends with a busted septic system, she tasks Nomi to supervise a group of outsider teens called the floaters. When their rival camp – led by Mara and Nomi''s nemesis Daniel – issues a high stakes challenge with prize money on the line, Nomi pushes the limits and loses Mara’s trust. Now, Nomi and the Floaters must overcome their differences and outperform their rivals to keep the camp alive. Framed through multigenerational perspectives, this offbeat comedy captures the rich diversity of a Jewish summer camp and explores the conflict between leaving one’s mark and building connection.

Wheelchair badminton champion, Nina Gorodetsky, has her first and maybe last chance to make it to the Paralympics. However, she is negotiating a ticking biological clock both as an athlete and as a woman. Amidst debating what would she be willing to sacrifice to realize her Olympic dream, everything changes: the stopwatches of all the world’s athletes come to a screeching halt due to a worldwide pandemic. NINA IS AN ATHLETE tracks her unpredictable three-year journey to defy the odds and fulfill her athletic aspirations while staying true to her maternal desires.

NEVER ALONE tells the gripping story of Jewish refugees seeking safety in Finland during WWII. As Nazi influence grows, the Finnish-Jewish businessman Abraham Stiller (Ville Virtanen, Netflix''s Bordertown) risks everything to protect the refugee community. This powerful film showcases courage, resilience, and the fight for hope amidst overwhelming adversity. From the celebrated director Klaus Härö, known for Oscar-shortlisted ''The Fencer“ and Golden Globe-nominated ''My Sailor, My Love,“ comes a powerful true story of resilience and defiance. Based on actual events during World War II, NEVER ALONE shines a light on the plight of Jewish refugees seeking sanctuary in Finland and the unwavering hero who risked everything to protect them.

Joe Lieberman, who nearly became the first Jewish Vice President of the United States, was known for putting principles above party. Centered chronicles Lieberman’s extraordinary journey and 40+ years of public service, revealing the depth of his commitment to the American people. This timely film serves as a reminder of the values of unity and bipartisanship. Lieberman’s legacy as a principled statesman who placed country above party echoes throughout the film, which provides a timely call for civility, moderation, and dialogue. Following Lieberman’s untimely passing in March 2024, his message of moderation and bipartisanship resonates even more powerfully, underscoring the importance of unity and collaboration in today’s political landscape.