News

This year’s Pitch Point includes new projects from Nir Bergman, Yona Rozenkier, Hadar Morag.

Jerusalem Film Festival has confirmed the Industry Days programme for its 40th-anniversary edition, including the 10 projects for its Pitch Point Competition for Israeli co-production features.

The Industry Days will run from July 13-15, and will also include the final pitching event of the Sam Spiegel International Film Lab on July 14.

Scroll down for the full list of Pitch Point projects.

Pitch Point pitches will run on July 13, to a jury presided over by Arte Cinema France’s Olivier Pere, and including Beta Cinema’s Thorsten Ritter,...

Dark comedy-drama “My Neighbor Adolf,” which will world premiere in Piazza Grande at the Locarno Film Festival, has debuted its trailer. The film stars David Hayman, Udo Kier and Olivia Silhavy, and is directed by Israeli helmer Leon Prudovsky. Beta Cinema is handling world sales.

The film, which Hayman has described as a cross between “Rear Window” and “Grumpy Old Men,” is set in Colombia in May 1960, just after Israel’s abduction of Adolf Eichmann in Argentina. Polsky, a lonely Holocaust survivor, lives in the remote Colombian countryside. He spends his days playing chess and tending his beloved rose bushes. One day, when a mysterious old German man moves in next-door, he suspects that his new neighbor is… Adolf Hitler. Since nobody believes him, he embarks on a detective mission to find the evidence. But, in order to gather evidence, he will need to be closer to his neighbor than he would like.

“My name is Udo,” says Udo Kier sitting in his home in Palm Springs, a converted library built by Swiss architect Albert Frey. The German actor – whose more than 260 screen credits include films by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Gus Van Sant, Lars von Trier and Alexander Payne – has connected by Zoom for our call, which I had been told was no certainty, due to his lack of technical savvy. Before we can start the interview Kier takes me on a video tour of his house – pointing out the art collection, with works by Andy Warhol and David Hockney, and a life-size plastic deer, with a bandaged leg.

We are joined on the call by Scottish actor David Hayman, supping from a pint of Guinness, and Israeli producer Haim Mecklberg. But the subject of our conversation lies elsewhere, in a remote corner of Colombia, the setting for the tragicomedy “My Neighbor Adolf,...

Beta Cinema takes on sales on the English-language film, directed by Leon Prudovsky and produced by Israel's 2-Team Productions and Polish outfit Film Produkcja. Beta Cinema is handling international sales outside Poland and Israel on Leon Prudovsky's My Neighbor Adolf, which has started principal photography in Colombia on January 28, lasting until February 28. The English-language film is produced by Haim Mecklberg, Estee Yacov-Mecklberg and Ygal Mograbi of 2-Team Productions (2016 Sundance Grand Jury Award winner Sand Storm), Klaudia Śmieja-Rostworowska (High Life) and Staszek Dziedzic of Film Produkcja (2019 Berlinale Competition entry Mr. Jones) in co-production with Juan Pablo Lasserre, Diego Conejero and Julio Cesar Gaviria of Vandalo Colombia and Moshe Edery of United King Films. It is supported by the Rabinovitch Film Fund, the Polish Film Institute and the Colombian Film Fund. The new film by Leon Prudovsky (Five Hours from Paris) stars David Hayman (The Boy in the...

Beta Cinema has acquired world sales rights outside Israel and Poland for “My Neighbor Adolf,” the new film by Leon Prudovsky (“Five Hours from Paris”), starring David Hayman (“The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas”) and Udo Kier (“The Painted Bird”).

Set in Colombia in the 1960s, the film is centred on Polsky (Hayman), a lonely and grumpy Holocaust survivor living in the countryside, who suspects that his new neighbor is Adolf Hitler (Kier). When nobody believes him, he sets off on a detective mission to uncover the truth, soon discovering that the only way to prove it is to befriend his mysterious neighbor.

Principal photography began in Colombia on Jan. 28 and will wrap Feb. 28.

The English-language film is produced by Haim Mecklberg, Estee Yacov-Mecklberg and Ygal Mograbi of 2-Team Productions, Klaudia Śmieja-Rostworowska and Staszek Dziedzic of Film Produkcja (“Mr. Jones”), in co-production with Juan Pablo Lasserre, Diego Conejero and Julio...

Israel’s 2-Team Productions, Poland’s Film Produkcja and Vandalo Colombia are partnering on “My Neighbor Adolf,” an offbeat comic drama starring David Hayman (“The Boy in the Striped Pajamas”) and Udo Kier that is set to begin filming in Medellin, Colombia, later this month. Leon Prudovsky will direct from a screenplay he wrote with Dmitry Malinsky.

The film tells the story of Polsky (Hayman), a lonely and grumpy Holocaust survivor living in the Colombian countryside, who suspects that his new neighbor is Adolf Hitler (Kier). When nobody believes him, he sets off on a detective mission to uncover the truth, soon discovering that the only way to prove it is to befriend his mysterious neighbor.

Prudovsky said: “‘My Neighbor Adolf’ is a comedy, because a Holocaust survivor, who believes his new neighbor is Hitler, is comic. Because an old man obsessively conducting an absurd investigation is comic.

“But then again,...

Prizes go to Mihal Brezis and Oded Binnun’s Dead Language and Maya Dreifuss’ Highway 65.

Dead Language by husband-and-wife filmmakers Mihal Brezis and Oded Binnun clinched the new $18,000 Jerusalem Foundation Award at the 14th edition of Jerusalem Film Festival’s (Jff) Pitch Point event, established to connect Israeli filmmakers with international partners.

The story follows a 27-year-old woman who, while waiting for her husband at the airport, ends up driving a complete stranger to his hotel after he mistakes her for his assigned driver – a random, short-lived encounter that shakes up her life.

It is Brezis and Binnun’s second...

English-language drama revolves around three boys from different sides of the conflict united by football.

Cherie Blair has boarded UK director John Deery’s long-gestating Jerusalem-set drama The Rock Pile. The film explores the Middle East conflict through the tale of a jaded war correspondent assigned to city where he befriends three young boys divided by religion but united by soccer.

Hugh Bonneville, who previously worked with Deery on his 2003 Irish Catholic Church drama Conspiracy Of Silence, signed to play the lead role in 2017.

Blair has taken an executive producer credit and it marks a first foray into film for...

Cherie Blair will make her first foray into film-making as she serves as executive producer on Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey) drama The Rock Pile.

The barrister and wife of former UK prime minister Tony Blair is taking on her first producing role on the film, which will tell the story of Time magazine correspondent Bob Hastings (played by Bonneville) who while on assignment in Jerusalem uncovers a story of three young boys of different faiths who are brought together through soccer.

John Deery (Conspiracy Of Silence) is set to direct the English-language film with shoot planned to take place in New York and Israel. David McBrayer (Beat The Drum) has scripted the project which is produced by Deery for Joejack Entertainment, McBrayer for Z Productions and Haim Mecklberg for 2-Teams Productions (Sand Storm).

Also executive-producing are Charles Moore (The Lady In The Van), Gabriela Christian-Hare (The Pinkertons), Rick McCallum (Star...

Esau

For his eleventh feature film, Russian director Pavel Lungin makes his English language debut with Esau. Produced by Lungin, Serafima Kohkanovskaya, Haim Mecklberg and Estee Yacov-Mecklberg through 2-Team Productions, the film features the work of cinematographer Fred Keleman and a stellar international cast including Harvey Keitel, Lior Ashkenazi, Kseniya Rappaport, Shira Haas and Yulia Peresild. Lungin is one of Russia’s most noted post-Soviet Union directors, coming to prominence with his 1990 debut Taxi Blues, which competed at Cannes and nabbed a Best Director award and a Special Mention from the Ecumenical Jury.…...

Heymann brothers to direct latest instalment from Scott Free.

Israel is set to get its own Life In A Day instalment, with Tel Aviv production house 2-Team Productions (Sand Storm) teaming up with Jonathan Agassi documentary duo the Heymann brothers on the project.

Overseen by Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions, the format sees filmmakers compile homemade footage submitted by thousands of individuals, subsequently editing the material into a feature.

The original 2011 instalment Life In A Day was directed by Kevin Macdonald and Loressa Clisby and featured scenes selected from 4,500 hours of footage from 80,000 submissions and 192 nations. Since then, single-country...

Dea Kulumbegashvili, Maya Dreifuss also scoop awards from Jerusalem lab.

Israeli actor-filmmaker Pini Tavger’s debut feature Pinhas has won the top $50,000 prize at the final pitching event of the 6th edition of the Sam Spiegel International Film Lab.

The tale of a young Russian immigrant coming to terms with life with his single mother in a small Israeli town is produced by Haim Mecklberg of 2-Team Productions, whose recent credits include Elite Zexer’s Sand Storm, which won the Sundance World Cinema Grand Jury Prize in 2016.

“The presentation of Pinhas provided the jury with a powerful experience: a fascinating, sensitive and conflictual script based on semi-autobiographic hardships beautifully presented through a scene for the upcoming film,” said Hengameh Panahi, Celluloid Dreams founding chief and Sam Spiegel jury chair.

It is Tavger’s first feature after two short films: 10 Weitzman Street and Pinhas, which sowed the seeds for the feature. He also directed...

Hope Davis also joins John Deery’s Israel-Palestine drama.

Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), Hope Davis (American Crime) and Alan Ritchson (Hunger Games: Catching Fire) have joined Middle East-set drama The Rock Pile.

The film is directed by John Deery (Conspiracy of Silence), written by David McBrayer (Beat the Drum) and produced by Joejack Entertainment, Z Productions LLC and 2-Teams Productions.

It is also being produced with the support of the Jerusalem Film Fund and the Palestinian community.

The producers are in the process of appointing a sales agent. Worldwide rights for the film are currently available.

Executive producers are Charles Moore (Lady In The Van), Penny Wolf, Rick McCallum (A United Kingdom) and Mark Foligno (The King’s Speech).

The Rock Pile follows the story of British journalist Bob Hastings, played by Bonneville, who is relocated to Jerusalem. There he learns the story of three young boys of different faiths who are brought together through football.

“There...

Festival’s Mix Programme $65,000 production grant was awarded to Rony and Riyad.

The 32nd Haifa International Film Festival came to a close with Maha Haj’s Personal Affairs winning the Haifa Cultural Fund Award for the Best Feature Film in the Israeli feature competition. It comes with a $26,000 prize.

Haj’s feature debut – which screened in Cannes Un Certain Regard – is about a Palestinian family coming to grips with their different circumstances.

Best debut feature with $13,000 is awarded to the film Bar Bahar-In Between by Maysaloun Hamoud.

Best script went to writer/director Eitan Anner’s A Quiet Heart.

Best Actor was awarded to Norman Issa and Moshe Ivgy for The 90 Minute War; Best Actress was Noa Koler for Through The Wall.

The Cinematography prize went to Ziv Berkovich for Home Port.

In the Israeli documentary competition, the Rozalia Katz Award for Best Documentary Film with $7,800 went to Lillian. Poetess, directed...

“Sand Storm” director Elite Zexer and actress Lamis Ammar spoke with me about the Lives of Bedouin Women in Israel this year in Sundance.Sand Storm’s Lamis Ammar

Sundance World Cinema Dramatic Grand Jury Prize Winner, “Sand Storm” was written and directed by Elite Zexer. She and Lamis Ammar, the actress playing the oldest daughter in a family of girls who is an independent college educated woman, and I spoke at Sundance about the experience of making their first film together.

Taking place in a Bedouin village in Israel, the film opens as Layla is driving a car with her father to their home in the desert. She reveals her grades are not as high as her father wants as he teaches her how to drive. They arrive home as wedding festivities are being prepared by Layla’s mother Jalila who must host her husband Suliman’s marriage to a second, much younger wife. During the celebration, Jalila discovers that her eldest daughter Layla has a boyfriend at her university — a strictly forbidden liaison that would shame the family.

The distributor has picked up North American rights from Beta Cinema to Israeli film-maker Elite Zexer’s directorial debut and Sundance selection.

Sand Storm tells of a fiercely independent Bedouin girl whose headstrong nature forces her to confront life-changing decisions within her intimate community. Lammis Ammar and Ruba Blal star.

The film earned top awards at the work-in-progress sections at the Jerusalem and Locarno film festivals and received its North American premiere earlier this year in Park City where it won the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic award.

It also played in the Berlinale’s Panorama section and recently won the New Directors competition at the Seattle International Film Festival.

Sand Storm will play at New York’s Film Forum on September 28 prior to expanding into key markets this autumn.

Haim Mecklberg and Estee Yacov-Mecklberg produced, while Rami Yehoshua, Moshe Edery, Leon Edery and Yigal Mograbi served as executive producers.

Kino Lorber’s CEO Richard Lorber...

Sundance World Cinema Dramatic Grand Jury Prize Winner, “Sand Storm” was written and directed by Elite Zexer. She and Lamis Ammar, the actress playing the oldest daughter in a family of girls who is an independent college educated woman, and I spoke at Sundance about the experience of making their first film together.

Taking place in a Bedouin village in Israel, the film opens as Layla is driving a car with her father to their home in the desert. She reveals her grades are not as high as her father wants as he teaches her how to drive. They arrive home as wedding festivities are being prepared by Layla’s mother Jalila who must host her husband Suliman’s marriage to a second, much younger wife. During the celebration, Jalila discovers that her eldest daughter Layla has a boyfriend at her university—a strictly forbidden liaison that would shame the family. As she tries to contain Layla’s situation by clamping down on her, her daughter, possessed of a boundless spirit, sees a different life for herself thereby causing chaos and strife within the family.

Sydney Levine: How did you come up with this story?

Elite Zexer: My mother is a photographer and shot Bedouin villages for several years and brought me along with her. We also became very good friends with some of the Bedouins, visiting each other at our homes. About eight years ago, I escorted an 18-year-old to her arranged marriage ceremony to a man she had never met and she told me had a boyfriend in college. She said, “For my daughter, it will be different.”

When I made a short about a different culture (Bedouin) I liked the process and the Bedouins asked me when I would make another film.

What film background do you have?

Elite Zexer: I have two degrees in film. I graduated from Tel Aviv University with a Bfa in film and an Mfa in film directing. I made a short “Take Note” which won the Best Fiction Film Award at the Tel Aviv International Student Film Festival, and “Tasnin” which went to over 120 film festivals around the world and won several international awards. I also directed the documentary “Fire Department Bnei Brak” before I directed “Sand Storm”, my first feature.

How did you put this film together?

Elite Zexer: Four years ago I wrote a script trying to write from the Bedouin point of view as much as possible, of course knowing my own pov would also be there. I applied to the two public film funds in Israel and to two private funds. It happened so quickly that only one year ago, in January 2015 I was already in pre-production. The rough cut was done by August. We went to First Look at Locarno and we won the prize. John Nein from Sundance was a juror there, and so we have now come to Sundance.

It all felt like it was blessed from the sky. Everything fell into place all the time. It was always just right. Even when we ran out of time and had only 5 minutes to shoot the last scene, that turned out to be the best and strongest scene in the film.

We thought, “It just has to work!” and it did!

And how about you, Lamis?

Lamis Ammar: This was my first feature. I studied theater in Haifa and I like cinema. This is the most interesting and challenging role I have played. I met the woman and seeing the finished film on the screen confirmed in a real and truthful way what my heart told me when I met her.

What do you think about the film?

I just saw it yesterday for the first time and I must see it again to understand all the details.

I knew before about the Bedouin in the south, but I am a Palestinian from Haifa so while there are some similarities, there are also many differences. It was a big process just to learn the accent even though we share a language.

Every time I see the Bedouin and learn more about them, I feel I want to be a part of them and to help in any way I can. This strong young teenage university student is different from the others in her community. Her father treats her as a liberated Bedouin but, for a female, the situation is very complicated.

As the writer of this interview, I want to point out certain background issues which, though they seem to have no direct connection to the story, are key to how the politics and policies of the Israeli government have created a marginal society for the Bedouins in spite of all the past support the Bedouins have given to the state of Israel. It is easy to say “just look at the culture” as if it bore no relation to the larger societal and political realities.

In my experience speaking with people from Israel/ Palestine I find the Bedouin and Palestinian stories to be international. Even as far away as Cuba, Cubans refer to people from the east of their island as “Palestinians” because of their outsider status in Havana.

The fact that Layla is a student in the university is very unusual in the Palestinian Bedouin society. It’s not acceptable -- not because the men don’t allow it, but because the Bedouin themselves refuse to be part of the Israeli society. They often do not know Hebrew, the official language of Israel. This reminds me of U.S. Native Americans whose languages have never been recognized officially by our government. Many Navajo (I don’t know about other tribes) do not speak English and their marginalization is astounding to anyone who visits the “reservations”; it is truly visiting another nation as far removed from the U.S.A. as the Bedouin are from the U.S.A.

To attend an Israeli University, everyone must speak and study in Hebrew. The Israeli occupation of the Bedouin ancestral lands influences everyone’s social knowledge and lifestyle. The Bedouin used to live freely in their own land until they were forced to leave for other places or to the city. Some Bedouin stay put, but the act of staying makes them more conservative than previously.

Some of their villages are unrecognized by the Israeli authorities and are under permanent threat of being demolished in order to create new Israeli settlements. Bedouin teenagers have been shot by the Israel police forces and there have been no trials for the police action. This is a story that we in the U.S. have been hearing daily about our own citizens who happen to be African-American. We also hear about it in France with their North African-French youth. We call it police brutality but although the Palestinian Bedouins demonstrate daily, but no one hears them.

This film takes one by surprise. The mother’s controlled passion and impatience seethe through her. You can see it in the set of her mouth and in the way she moves. Her daughters share her passion for life and one feels the pain of their predicament. Their incredible strength sustains them and a glimmering light of hope shines through the storm.

The situation described above is the underlying and unspoken theme of the movie. It seeps through everything, one's clothing and household and in the very grittiness of one's teeth, like sand in a sand storm.

Director/Writer Elite Zexer

Cast member Lamis Ammar, Ruba Blal-Asfour, Haitham Omari, Khadija Alakel, Jalal Masarwa

Producers Haim Mecklberg, Estee Yacov-Mecklberg

Director of Photography Shai Peleg

Editor Ronit Porat

Total Running Time: 87 Minutes

International Sales: Beta Cinema...

In preparation for Sundance and Berlin, Beta has picked up worldwide rights to the Israeli feature in World Cinema Dramatic Competition Sundance, “Sand Storm” and Global Screen has picked up worldwide rights to the Colombian feature “Between Sand and Sea” (“La Ciénaga”)

By the producers of Venice Public Choice Award-winning “The Farewell Party”, “Sand Storm” is an Israeli drama, shot in Arabic by debut-writer/director Elite Zexer. It will have its World Premiere at Sundance on January 25 and the European premiere to follow at the Berlinale Panorama section in February.

“Sand Storm” is the second partnership between Beta Cinema and the Israeli 2-Team Productions ( Haim Mecklberg/ Estee Yacov-Mecklberg). The film was already given the top award at the Locarno Festival’s works-in-progress section.

As wedding festivities get underway in a Bedouin village in Southern Israel, Jalila finds herself in the awkward position of hosting her husband Suliman’s marriage to a second, much younger wife. During the celebration, Jalila stumbles across eldest daughter Layla’s involvement with a boy from her university—a strictly forbidden liaison that would shame the family. Burying the indignity of Suliman and his new bride living next door, Jalila also tries to contain Layla’s situation by clamping down on her. But younger and possessed of a boundless spirit, Layla sees a different life for herself...

Director Elite Zexer: “ ‘Sand Storm’ is 87 minutes, but for me, it's years. Years of an amazing ride, of passions, of struggles, of ups, of downs, of pure joy, of forever waiting or of an impossible run. Years of creation. What I learned during the making of this film is that the most wonderful part of filmmaking is the making. It's hard to part with it and let it run loose in the world. But it's also very exciting. I can't wait.”

Producer Haim Mecklberg (2-Team Production): “We're extremely proud of “Sand Storm”, which touched the hearts of everybody who was exposed to it so far. Our collaboration with Elite was a sheer delight. Her command of every aspect of the film did not seize to amaze us through every step of the production. After a great experience we had with Beta Cinema on “The Farewell Party” (Goldwyn distributed stateside), we were very happy to find out how much they loved “Sand Storm” and we're looking forward to another fruitful cooperation.”

Beta Cinema’s Thorsten Ritter says that “ ‘Sand Storm’ is a true gem. It depicts a very particular world and culture, but never in a folkloristic or exposing way. Instead it draws you right in to find yourself immersed in family dynamics that resonate universally and regardless of being a man or woman. And while the film has not a scene too many, it is yet nuanced and multi-layered, featuring beautiful performances and a filmmaker in full command. You can tell we’re very excited.”

The second announcement emanating about Sundance also comes from Germany

Colombian feature “Between Sea and Land” (“La Ciénaga”) directed by and starring Manolo Cruz was just picked up by Munich-based international sales agent Global Screen for the world (except for Latin America which will be handled by Cineplex and which Uip will distribute in Colombia itself).

It will have its world premiere January 22, 2016 at the Sundance Film Festival,

“Between Sea And Land” (“La Ciénaga”) is a breathtakingly tour de force from actor – writer - director Manolo Cruz, codirected with Carlos del Castillo. The film, set on a small inlet adjacent to the Caribbean Sea in Colombia, tells the moving story of 28-year-old Alberto and his mother Rosa.

Alberto is afflicted with a neurological disorder that confines him to his bed, and his mother, Rosa, lovingly protects and takes care of him. Alberto’s wry humor and creativity help them muster the strength to endure, and he greatly enjoys the company of his neighbor Giselle, who showers Alberto with affection. But the life Alberto can imagine feels just as close-yet-out-of-reach as the sea he looks upon, and which he dreams of one day visiting.

Manolo Cruz (who also wrote the film) gives a tremendous performance as Alberto, a young man trapped by physical hardship but unbound by spirit. Working in close alliance with his co-director Carlos del Castillo during filming allowed Cruz the space to portray the extraordinary resilience and grace of a character caught in between the margins of a beautiful and fragile landscape.

Klaus Rasmussen, Senior Sales and Acquisitions Manager at Global Screen states, “Our whole team was amazed with this unique and exceptional film that takes the viewer into a different world poor in materialism but rich in human heart and courage. We are very happy to present Manolo Cruz’s film to the international audience.”

“Between Sea And Land” (“La Ciénaga”) is produced by Mago Films in coproduction with Photogroup Films and Scarlett Cinema.

Global Screen GmbH is a leading German sales & distribution company for theatrical and TV films outside of German-speaking territories. Our company is one of the largest world-sales outfits in Europe and has a catalogue containing more than 15,000 titles. The theatrical distribution handles a varied portfolio of German- and foreign-speaking feature films focusing on commercial arthouse films, family entertainment, and high-profile documentary features.

Among Global Screen’s current theatrical films are “The Memory of Water” starring Elena Anaya, apocalyptic Sci-Fi Thriller "Sum1" starring Iwan Rheon, German action blockbuster “Nick – Off Duty” and Dominik Graf’s "Beloved Sisters", which represented Germany at the Academy Awards as well as Nadav Sherman’s "The Green Prince", who won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival 2014. Global Screen’s portfolio contains also Erik Pope’s "A Thousand Times Good Night" starring Juliette Binoche and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Sandra Nettelbeck’s "Mr. Morgan’s Last Love" with Michael Caine as well as Academy-Award-winning "Nowhere in Africa" (2001), "The Boat" (1981), "Good Bye, Lenin!" (2003), "When We Leave" (2009) and the very successful vampire arthouse hit "Let the Right One In" (2008). The high-profile 3D animation films "Niko & The Way to the Stars" and "Ooops! Noah is Gone…" were sold all over the world and established the company as one of the leaders in family entertainment distribution.

Israeli drama centres on two Bedouin women.

Beta Cinema has acquired Israeli drama Sand Storm (Sufat Chol), ahead of its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on Jan 25, where it is set to play in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition.

Its European premiere will follow at the Berlin Film Festival (Feb 11-21), where it will screen in the Panorama section.

The film is shot in Arabic by debut writer-director Elite Zexer and is from the producers of Venice Public Choice Award-winning The Farewell Party.

Sand Storm marks the second partnership between Beta Cinema and the Israeli 2-Team Productions (Haim Mecklberg/Estee Yacov-Mecklberg), and won the top award at Locarno’s works-in-progress section in August.

The film begins as wedding festivities get underway in a Bedouin village in Southern Israel. Bedouin woman Jalila finds herself in the difficult position of hosting her husband Suliman’s marriage to a second, much younger wife.

During the celebration...

Film about female empowement in a conservative Bedouin community wins showcase.

Elite Zexer’s first feature Sand Storm and Eitan Anner’s A Quiet Heart have won the First Look Award in Locarno’s showcase, which was dedicated this year to selected Israeli films in post-production.

Jury member Karel Och, director of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, presented the first prize of $66,000 (€60,000) worth of picture post-production services sponsored by Rotor Film to Sand Storm’s producers Haim Mecklberg and Estee Yacov-Mecklberg for its “mature, deeply observant storytelling and courageous depiction of the layered struggles of several generations of women”.

Sand Storm centres on a Bedouin mother and daughter testing the limits of their conservative community.

Fellow jury member, Sundance programming director John Nein handed over the second prize - $6,000 (€5,500) worth of advertising donated by the French trade magazine Le Film Francais - to A Quiet Heart’s producer Gal Greenspan of Green Productions for its “urgency...

Avishai Sivan’s religious drama wins Best Israeli Feature while Hotline scoops Van Leer award for Best Documentary.Scroll down for full list of winners

Avishai Sivan’s drama Tikkun has won Best Israeli Feature at the 32nd Jerusalem Film Festival, which held its awards ceremony last night [July 16] and closes on Sunday.

Tikkun, which follows a committed Hassidic student who begins to doubt himself after a life-changing experience, won the Haggiag Award for Best Israeli Feature Film, which comes with a $31,500 (Ils 120,000) prize.

The film also won the Anat Pirchi Award for Best Script, which comes with a $2,600 (Ils 10,000) prize, the Haggiag Award for Best Actor for lead Khalifa Natour, also accompanied by a $2,600 (Ils 10,000) prize, and the Van Leer Award for Best Cinematography, which scoops $2,400 (Ils 9,000).

The film was directed by Avishai Sivan and produced by Ronen Ben-Tal, Avishai Sivan, Moshe Edery and Leon Edery of Plan B Productions.

Tikkun will also...

Mexican feature The Golden Dream (La jaula de oro) and French drama Suzanne take top prizes at Greek festival.Scoll down for full list of winners

Diego Quemada-Diez’s Cannes winner The Golden Dream (La jaula de oro) added more trophies to its collection at the 64th Thessaloniki International Film Festival on Saturday (Nov 9).

The road movie about teenage Guatemalan immigrants and their journey to the Us scooped the Golden Alexander for best film, the best director nod for Quemada, the audience (Fischer) award and the Greek Parliament trophy for “human values”.

The film won the Un Certain Regard – A Certain Talent Prize at Cannes, where it debuted in May, and also picked up Best International Feature Film at the Zurich Film Festival.

Suzanne, the portrait of a chaotic, unpredictable and fragile woman directed by Katell Quillevere was awarded second prize - the Silver Alexander.

The French drama also won the actress award for Sara Forestier, in the...