THE PROJECTS:

CHILDREN OF THE MOUNTAINS THE HOST THE JEWISH GIRL MAKING OF MANDIL WADDA – THE KERCHIEF WITH THE GOLD COINS THE OTHER WIDOW REAL ESTATE RUNNING ON SAND SHE LOVES YOU TRAINER TRENDELENBURG UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE SUN CHILDRENS OF THE MOUNTAINS Feature film | drama | 90 min.

Arthur Abramov

Shemi Shoenfeld

The journey back home has never been more difficult and FILMMAKERS bloody as in Arthur Abramov SYNOPSIS 2014 - Graduated of Minshar School of Arts. Igor 18, a new immigrant to Or Akiva, a Periphery town in 2016 – “CHILDREN OF THE MOUNTAINS” (Short Israel. A rough guy. A sun of a recovering criminal from graduation film) Official selection of Cannes IFF, Chechnya. In the neighborhood, he reunites with Alfred Short film corner and of Haifa IFF. 17, a childhood friend from the Caucasus (Chechnya). 2016 – “DINJ” A Documentary film, Official selection Igor is exposed to racism and humiliation that immigrants of Haifa IFF aired on Channel 1 Israel. experience from the descendants of Moroccan - Jews in the neighborhoods. Igor’s Caucasian spirit unwilling to endure Shemi Shoenfeld humiliation, Igor takes on a ruthless war sweeping Alfred A veteran producer with experience in all Genres: into the Caucasian belligerent world of values, feature films: MAGIC MEN, WOUNDED LAND, THE ART OF WAITING (will be in Haifa 2019) shorts: TRIGGER DEAR GOD, SIRENS and documentaries: EXODUS I was born in the north of the Caucasus, Dagestan. Immigrated THE TRUE STORY, MATI CASPI – CONFESSION, to the city of Or- Akiva in Israel when I was 8 years old At school the natives called me “Dirty Russian” and urged me to go back to . My luck was to find Igor, a rough boy with deaf-mute parents, whose father was an ex mobster.

SCRIPT AVAILABLE Gesher Multicultual Film Fund Development Grant

COMEBACK FILMS, Shemi Shoenfeld, 972-50-5478927, [email protected] THE HOST Feature film | digital thriller | 90 min.

Nadav Giladi Didi Lubetzky

A digital thriller about a popular vlogger with a split FILMMAKERS persona who, following his girlfriend’s disappearance, uncovers a dark secret. Nadav Giladi Creator, Director and Producer - Owner of DREAM SYNOPSIS CATCHER Nadav made 2 films - ‘Short on Cash’ I always wanted to deal with psychiatric phenomenon’s in my (2014) and ‘across the Line’ (2017), which went on art, as I know this condition (D.I.D) through an acquaintance. around the world festivals. and even won first prizes. I follow the vlogging world astounded their unique way to tell a story, using hyper realism in a non-realistic situation. Didi Lubetzky Writer and director of “Poisoned” (2011), a zombie TRIGGER horror comedy with international acclaim, Casting A modern digital noir following Yuli (30), a popular daily vlogger director (Ophir nominee for “Fire Birds”) and acting who became famous through sharing his Split Personality teacher. A university film school alumni, Disorder online. currently in different stages of development for When his girlfriend goes missing, Yuli launches a documented several feature scripts. investigation, both in the real world and online. He finds that not only his life is not what he thought they were, but that Lee’s is in mortal danger.

SCRIPT AVAILABLE In collaboration with Hands Up France

DREAM CATCHER FX, Nadav Shlomo Giladi, [email protected], www.dreamcatcherfx.com THE JEWISH GIRL Feature film | drama | 90 min.

Sharon Bar-Ziv

Marek Rozenbaum

Sofia 1943. A bar owner finds A 16-year-old Jewish girl FILMMAKERS who jumped off the train from Thessaloniki to Auschwitz and he is determined to save her life. Sharon Bar-Ziv Writer Director. His first feature film ‘Room 514’ was SYNOPSIS screened at Cannes (2012) and won a special award My grandfather used to own a bar in Sofia. In 1943 he hid for best directing at Tribeca. His second feature a young Jewish-Greek man, who jumped off a train from film ‘Good Morning Son’ (2019) is well received Thessaloniki to Auschwitz. His actions were my inspiration. worldwide.

TRIGGER Marek Rozenbaum Sofia 1943. Christo (Samuel Finzi) a local bar owner, finds One of the leading producers in Israel. Produced over a wounded a Jewish girl, who jumped off the train from 40 international co-productions. His productions Thessaloniki to Auschwitz, after stabbing a Nazi officer. were selected for major international festivals and Meanwhile, Christo develops an intimate relationship with the won many awards. Jewish psychiatrist treating his wife in a mental sanatorium. A German SS officer is coming to find the Jewish Girl. Chouchkov Brothers Leading producers in Bulgaria and winners of major European film festivals. Directed, produced and distributed dozens of films, mostly as co- productions with other countries.

Chouchkov Brothers Bulgaria Sophie Dulac Distribution SCRIPT AVAILABLE Samuel Finzi as main character

TRANSFAX, Marek Rozenbaum, [email protected], [email protected] MAKING OF Feature film | drama | 90 min.

Doron Neeman Eitan Anner

Itay Akirav

A liberal producer joins an ultra-Orthodox film director for FILMMAKERS the production of a biblical tragedy. Doron Neeman SYNOPSIS Writer, is a theater actor and playwright To save herself from bankruptcy, Vicki (38), a Tel Aviv-based film producer, decides to collaborate with Silver (60) – who Eitan Anner once was a legendary film director, and now is a staunch Writer/Director known for A Quiet Heart (Best ultra-Orthodox rabbi. His comeback project is an adaptation Screenplay award, Haifa IFF 2016, Grand Prix and of King Saul’s biblical tragedy, and Vicki assumes that Best Actress award Tallinn IFF 2016), Love and Silver’s motivations are artistic or missionary, but when his Dance (Berlinale 2007), Poker Face (Best Television true motive is revealed, Vicki’s life falls apart. Drama award, Banff, 2001), The Shadow of Your Smile (Best Television Drama, IFF 1998). TRIGGER The project was conceived in order to further explore the clash Itay Akirav between art and faith in a polarized society, presented in the Itay Akirav is a graduate of the Jerusalem Sam director’s previous film - A Quiet Heart (Grand Prix, Tallinn Spiegel Film School and alumni of the Marcie Bloom Black Nights Film Festival, 2016). Fellowship, his credits as producer “Africa” directed by Oren Gerner, Film Festival (2019) and European premiere at the San Sebastian Film Festival (2019). He is currently in post-production “Neve Shaanan”, a feature film by Idan Haguel That won the Iridium Award at the cinelink (wip) at the Sarajevo film festival.

United King Israel Film Fund Development Grant SCRIPT AVAILABLE Jerusalem Film and Television Production Grant

HARBOR FILMS, Itay Akirav, 972-54-2514979, [email protected] MANDIL WADDA – THE KERCHIEF WITH THE GOLD COINS Feature film | drama | 90 min.

Abaed Shaab Yaniv Berman

Tony Copti

Haunted by emerging memories from early childhood, FILMMAKERS 70 years old Shadia embarks on a journey with his granddaughter, a carefree young art student, to discover Abaed Shaab a traumatic event from his past. Director and Scriptwriter. A scholar with degrees in theater, gender studies, education and a PHD SYNOPSIS student in cinema studies at Tel-Aviv University. 70 years old named Shadia is forced to cope with Abed is also a successful musician, a teacher and a traumatic event from his early childhood that haunts his a film director. dreams. Finding it impossible to deal with modern Israeli bureaucracy, the only help available for him is his art Yaniv Berman student granddaughter. Having different goals in mind, they Producer and Director. His films “Even kids Started embark together on a journey, finding a story that shakes Small”, “The Alpha Diaries” (documentary) and their world. the award winning feature film “Land of the Little People”. TRIGGER Young Bedouin girl was raped and killed by a group of Israeli Tony Copti soldiers in 1949. For many years this story was kept secret, Tony Copti is a Palestinian producer and the CEO although shaping the tension between two societies. of Fresco Films. Tony produced, line-produced and managed more than 30 productions.

Fresco Films Fresco Films is a fresh and dynamic company that specializes in developing, financing and producing feature films having in mind the general audience as well as the artistic value of the project.

SCRIPT AVAILABLE

FRESCO FILMS, +972-546846666, [email protected] THE OTHER WIDOW Feature film | drama | 90 min.

Anat Gafni Ma’ayan Rypp

Ayelet Kait Amir Harel

Ella, 32, a theatre dresser and mistress, experiences the FILMMAKERS sudden death of her lover. She begins to frequent his Shiva and observes the life that was forbidden to her. eventually Anat Gafni she demands her legitimate right to mourn. Graduated from the Script Writing program of Tel Aviv University Film department. Creator and Scriptwriter SYNOPSIS of the TV series Blackspace (in production). Creator Ella, 32, a theatre dresser and mistress, experiences the and Scriptwriter of the TV series Tahrir (in development sudden death of her lover. She attends his Shivah while with Artza productions). keeping her identity under wraps and dives into a world once forbidden to her. Through intimate encounters with Ma’ayan Rypp his brother, parents, and, most especially, his wife, she A Director and Screenwriter, her film “Martha Must examines her place in his life and eventually demands her Fly” premiered in the Cinefondation competition legitimate right to mourn. and won various awards worldwide among them- Promising director, Best film and more. TRIGGER Following a breakup from a secret love I had to continue my Lama films life as if nothing happened and couldn’t share my feelings. I Located in Tel Aviv, Lama Films is one of the leading became preoccupied with the need to express that pain. production companies in Israel, concentrating on social, political and cultural-oriented projects. Lama films produces a line of internationally acclaimed and successful films which appeal to diverse audiences around the world, among others the US box-office success “Walk on Water” (Eytan Fox 2004), the 2006 Oscar nominee for best foriegn film “Paradise Now” (Hany Abu-Assad, 2005), the Cannes Film Festival 2007 Camera d’Or Winner “Jellyfish” (Shira Geffen & Etgar Keret, 2007), and the Annie Awards 2009 nominee for the Best Animated Feature & Best Directing, the acclaimed animated film “$9.99” (Talia Rosenthal, 2009)

Cinefondacion Residence 2014 Israel Film Project - Rabinovich Foundation Development Grant SCRIPT AVAILABLE Israel Film Fund Production Grant

LAMA FILMS, Ayelet Kait, Amir Harel, www.lamafilms.com, [email protected], [email protected] REAL ESTATE Feature film | drama | 90 min.

Anat Maltz

Ami Livne Itai Tamir

Tamara and Adam, an impossible couple facing an FILMMAKERS unbearable reality, go on a semi claustrophobic journey between apartments for rent in a search for a place to call Anat Maltz home. Anat Maltz is a Sam Spiegel film school alumni. she is a writer, director and editor of various projects for SYNOPSIS the Israeli television and film industry. she directed Just before being evacuated from their apartment in Tel Aviv several short films. due to ever rising real estate prices, Real estate is her debut feature film. Pregnant Tamara decides, despite Adam’s resentment, to look for a new home in his sleepy home town; Haifa. During Laila films one nerve wrecking, amusing and critical day of apartment Laila Films was established as boutique Production hunting, their temperamental and edgy relationship is Company for high quality independent cinema slowly revealed and comes to a boiling point. intended for emerging Israeli and international filmmakers. As well as providing constant support TRIGGER from script to screen, we believe in an intimate An unforgettable day of apartment searching with my husband approach to achieve personal, innovative and in Haifa was the inspiration for this story. The intimate peek distinct cinema. into the lives of complete strangers in each apartment was the base for a script dealing with the existential questions that arise while searching for a “home”.

Israel Film Project - Rabinovich Foundation SCRIPT AVAILABLE Development Fund

LAILA FILMS, Itay Tamir, Ami Livne, [email protected] RUNNING ON SAND Feature film | drama | 90 min.

Asaf Zelicovici Sarel Piterman

Yoav Hebel Adar Shafran

When a young Eritrean refugee is mistaken to be the new FILMMAKERS foreign player of a struggling soccer team, his survival depends on the teams success. Asaf Zelicovici and Yoav Hebel: Screenwriters. Creators and writers of the Israeli SYNOPSIS comedy thriller “Douze Points”. With years of experience Anbessa, an Eritrean refugee is deported from Israel. He in advertising and many award-winning commercials, manages to escape the immigration police at the airport former creative directors at Mccann Tel-Aviv. straight into the hands of Netanya›s soccer fans that mistake him to be the new Nigerian striker supposed to Sarel Piterman: land that day. Now, Anbessa›s fight for survival and the Screenwriter and script editor. With years of team›s fight against relegation unite. the problem is, he experience in writing features and TV series, such as: What Could Possibly Go Wrong”and" ,״never played soccer. Will Anbessa›s new status help him “The Electrifiers get his freedom? “Magen David Darom”.

TRIGGER Adar Shafran: The survival Journey of every refugee, is filled with a crazy Owner and main producer at Firma Films 2008- absurd reality. Through a humorous, emotional human 2019 Firma produces feature films, Tv Series story, we hope that people will be able to see refugees not and short films. Among this projects: “Maktub”, as an issue, but as human beings. “Forgiveness”, “Douse Point”

SCRIPT AVAILABLE

FIRMA FILMS, Adar Shafran, 972-54-45238687, [email protected], www.firma-films.com She Loves You Feature film | drama | 90 min.

Edan Alterman Bar Ben-Yossef

Miri Fry-Cohen Danna Eden

A teenager from Haifa rebels against his dominant mother, FILMMAKERS and discovers his true voice through Rock & Roll music, in the wake of the infamous cancelation of the Beatles Edan Alterman concert in Israel in 1964. Comedian, actor, screenwriter and director. Directed the documentary “Short” (2005), which was aired SYNOPSIS on Channel 2, and participated in the Jerusalem A coming of age dramedy centered on the relationship Film Festival and other festivals around the world, between Ilan, a shorter than average teenager, and Ruth, receiving great reviews. his controlling, compulsive mother, an orchestra conductor. Inspired by “Beatlemania” Ilan goes through a mental Miri Fry-Cohen growth spurt, falls in love for the first time, discovers the Playright, screenwriter. An alumnus of the school of electric guitar and proves to both his mother and the Israeli film and television Tel Aviv University. Winner of the government that no matter what, personal liberation cannot Bernstein Prize Award 2015 for her play “Pinui Binui.” be suppressed. Bar Ben-Yossef TRIGGER Author, screenwriter, editor. Published four books As an avid Beatles’ fan, I always wondered - if I was a teenager (Keter Publishing House). Wrote and edited hundreds during the 60’s when our government banned the Beatles of scripts both in Hebrew and in English for TV from performing in Israel fearing Rock & Roll music might shows in Israel, UK (BBC) and the USA. dissolute the local youth, would I have stood up and fight against it? With this in mind, I plunged into a story which Danna Eden made me realize that I would have probably had to overcome Executive director of “Danna Eden & Shula Spiegel a much bigger hurdle than the Israeli government - my own Productions”. Producer of scripted and documentary mother… TV series and films for over 20 years.

SCRIPT AVAILABLE

Edan Alterman: [email protected], Bar Ben-Yossef: [email protected] TRAINER Feature film | drama | 90 min.

Keren Ben Rafael Dita Guery

Stav Morag-Meron

As a Russian immigrant in Israel, I am constantly torn FILMMAKERS between my origins and reality. As a trainer, I aim for Olympic gold, my way, for Israel. Dita Guery A graduate of the Tel Aviv University’s Film Department SYNOPSIS focused on writing feature film screenplays: Igor & Jean (56) is Israel’s Moscow born rhythmic gymnastics the Cranes’ Journey, Yona, An Israeli Love Story, The trainer - and she’s close to Olympic gold. A patriot, she is Shabbat Checkpoint (animation). proud to bring medals to Israel. When the young athletes she trains object to her harsh but effective ‘Soviet era’ coaching Keren Ben Rafael methods, Jean finds herself ousted from her role, losing not An Israeli director, studied in La Femis in . Her only her job, but also her connection to her country too. first feature film “Virgins” won the actress prize at Tribeca, the Fipresci prize in Jerusalem, directing TRIGGER and acting prize in Montenegro. Her second feature We wanted to write a lead role for Evgenia Dodina, that like “The End of Love” premiered in Venise 2019 as part the trainer, is a famous Israeli Russian artist. Both had a strict of the Venice Biennale College. artistic education background, both needed to find a path into the Israeli (non) method. This film is our tribute to any Stav Morag-Meron immigrant that is torn between her background and our reality. Padres film was founded in 2015 by producer Stav Meron, graduated with honors from the Sam Spiegel film school, Jerusalem. Meron produced dozens of short films that reached international film festivals abroad such as the Berlinale, Locarno and more. Today Pardes Films focuses on the production Documentary and feature films, that captures the Israeli reality as it unfolds before our eyes. Among her previous work “Pepe’s last battle”, “The voice of Ahmad” and “shooting my father”.

Israel Film Fund Development Grant SCRIPT AVAILABLE Written for Evgenia Dodina

PARDES FILMS, Stav Meron, 972-52-6509971,[email protected] TRENDELENBURG Feature film | dramedy | 90 min.

Avishag Leibovich Iftach Leibovich

Asaf Nawi

In a high-risk pregnancy ward, four women share the load FILMMAKERS of their predicament in a funny, sad, urgent and ultimately rousing ode to motherhood and friendship. Avishag Leibovich Graduated with honors from the JSFS. Her diploma SYNOPSIS film, “Point of View”, participated at the Berlinale, Dramedy. Room 2 at the high-risk pregnancy ward has following its premiere at the Haifa International four beds, one bathroom, one window and four women on Film Festival. Her documentaries, “Diet Leibovich” the verge of hormonal breakdown. Scary words like “early and “Local story” screened at numerous festivals contractions” and “placental bleeding” keep them restricted including HotDocs, Palm Springs, Munich and JFF. to the ward. It becomes their prison and their hair salon, where life and death decisions mix with quarrels about Iftach Leibovich toilet hygiene and air conditioning and where they’ll come to Actor, director, and playwright, Iftach Leibovich understand the sacrifices that motherhood requires. is one of the founding members of the renowned Incubator Theater in Jerusalem. He is the head of TRIGGER the Jerusalem Theater Lab and an art director at When I was in the high risk pregnancy ward, I saw a woman the Jerusalem Fringe Theater Center. lying down at 45º, feet up, head down, literally turning her “Trendelenburg” is their first feature film. world upside down to become a mother. With this unique visual point of view, we try to confront the difficulties of motherhood Asaf Nawi and the de-romanization of pregnancy. Asaf Nawi is the owner of Nawipro LTD, a production and content house for television and film. The company focuses on social content and looks for stories with a unique approach and an Israeli voice, while preserving universal stories that will be able to touch and excite viewers around the world.

SCRIPT AVAILABLE The Jerusalem International Film Lab

NAWI-PRO CREATIVE, Asaf Nawi, 972-54-5552364, [email protected] UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE SUN Feature film | drama | 90 min.

Beyne Getahun Shalom Hager

Sigalit Liphshitz Itay Akirav

“Without fathers we are exposed to the winds and roam FILMMAKERS the earth without shelter” (Aharon Appelfeld) Beyne Getahun Actor and screenplay writer. Graduate of the SYNOPSIS Department of Theater at the University of Haifa. Matko, a 42-year-old Ethiopian man, is released from prison Winner of first prize at the Akko Festival for his role 17 years after murdering his wife in a fit of rage, and sets in Mitoko’s Home. Winner of the Yuri Stern prize for out on a search for his only son Mesgenaw, who was two at Oleh Artists in Theatre. Actor in various current and the time of the murder popular TV series.

TRIGGER Shalom Hager Every year in Israel, about twenty women are murdered by Screenplay writer and film director. Graduate of the those closest to them. Half of these women are Ethiopian. Sam Spiegel Film School, where he won a prize for The film In the Shadow of the Sun is not about the reasons for best thesis film for his film True Grace. Graduate of the murder or its characteristics, and neither is it a voyeuristic the Tel Aviv University Film Department, MA track. peek at the murder itself; rather, it focuses on the deed’s His feature film Shrouds (2010) won first prize for consequences. Its point of departure is human and global. A Best Debut Film at the Hamburg Film Festival. man who has sinned and been punished is now haunted by guilt, seeking to make amends. Sigalit Liphshitz This is not a story about “the Ethiopians” – an alien group with Director, screenwriter and Lecturer at the Sam problems of their own. It is an Israeli story – a reflection of our Spiegel Film School. Graduate with honors of the society. As the makers of the film we don’t see ourselves as Sam Spiegel Film School. Made several shirt films different from its protagonists. which were awarded worldwide.

Itay Akirav Producer, born in Tel-Aviv in 1984, is a graduate of the Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film School and alumni of the Marcie Bloom Fellowship. His first feature film as a producer “Africa” directed by Oren Gerner was premiered at the Toronto Film Festival (2019) and European premiere at the San Sebastian Film Festival (2019).

Israel Film Fund SCRIPT AVAILABLE Jerusalem International Film Lab

HARBOR FILMS, Itay Akirav, 972-54-2514979, [email protected]