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17th Annual
Other Israel Film Festival
November 2–9, 2023
The Other Israel Film Festival 2023 announces a timely lineup of diverse films and its first ever Democracy Summit.
NEW YORK (October 2, 2023) – Today the Other Israel Film Festival announced its lineup for its 17th annual festival, to take place in person and virtually November 2–9, 2023 in New York. The festival remains the only American film festival focused on both Israeli and Palestinian cinema. This year, it proudly continues its tradition of providing a platform for important conversations on this tumultuous region. The festival presents over a dozen feature-length premiere films and two TV series, as well as its first ever two-day symposium: the Other Israel Democracy Summit. The Democracy Summit will host conversations with world-renowned experts and filmmakers relating to the unprecedented democracy movement in Israel.
The week-long festival features in-person premieres and filmmaker Q+As at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. Films and conversations will be available to stream online throughout the festival, and also during a special extension through November 12. Tickets go on sale today, October 2, 2023, at otherisrael.org.
The Other Israel Film Festival, founded in 2007, presents high-quality cinema that inspires conversation and takes an in-depth look into Israeli and Palestinian societies and underrepresented populations in Israel. The festival explores human stories and social issues for Israel and its neighbors through dramatic and documentary films, as well as panels and events about history, culture, and identity.
The 17th Annual Other Israel Film Festival boasts international and New York premieres, with films from the UK, Israel, Palestine, and the US. Other Israel will host the New York Premiere of Israel’s 2024 Academy Award select: Seven Blessings by Ayelet Menahemi, about a family uniting at a wedding and confronting the past. The festival will open with the Tribeca Film Festival-selected film: The Future by Noam Kaplan, which through a futuristic story of a murder investigation brings a Palestinian and Israeli woman together. The film also sets the ground for the Democracy Summit as it brings to light the question of the future of Israeli society. The Festival will close with the World Premiere of The Other by Joy Sela, a film that explores Palestinian and Israeli relations through creative individuals. Other highlights include the NY Premiere of the Palestinian Academy Award selection: Alam by Firas Khoury, telling the story of Palestinian youth choosing to become politically engaged, as well as a New York Premiere of the first Syrian-Druze narrative film made in Israel: The Taste of Apples is Red by Ehab Tarabieh, giving an insight into this complex community through the story of a religious leader whose brother returns after many years in exile.
The festival will also include the premieres of two hit TV series’ coming out of Israel’s blossoming industry. The International Premiere of East Side by Evgeny Ruman is a thriller uncovering the Jewish population in the Arab sector of East Jerusalem. Madrasa is a comedy by Sayed Kashua, directed by Guri Alfi about a bilingual Arab/Israeli school and the uncomfortable interactions of the parents.
“The quality of the films continues to go up and we are overwhelmed by the selections from this year,” shares Carole Zabar, Founder of the Other Israel Film Festival. “In such a conflicted time, this is the moment for our community here in New York to make a statement and be a part of a movement.”
“I’m inspired by this year’s lineup of films.” says Isaac Zablocki, Executive Director of the Other Israel Film Festival and MMJCCM Senior Director of Film Programs. “This is a time for change in Israel and we are proud to bring these films to New York and ignite the fire that has already started in Israel.”
With the support of valuable partner organizations across the globe, the festival aims to engage the community, deepen its views, challenge its perspectives, and drive it to action.
Festival Passes are $70–$95 and are available for both in-person and virtual screening options, and include access to all films and conversations. Access to individual screenings is $18 per film. Conversations and guest speakers will be announced soon. For more information about the festival and films, and to purchase tickets and passes, visit otherisrael.org.
2023 OTHER ISRAEL FILM FESTIVAL LINEUP
FILMS
Opening Night: The Future
Dir. Noam Kaplan
Narrative | Israel | 2023 | 80 min
A world-renowned Israeli scientist has created a groundbreaking algorithm designed to prevent future violent attacks. When her algorithm fails, she begins meeting with the young Palestinian woman who assassinated the Israeli Minister of Space and Tourism. Their intensive conversations raise questions about their pasts.
In person: Thu, Nov 2, 6:30 pm | Followed by Reception, $40
Streaming: Nov 2–12, $18
Savoy
Dir. Zohar Wagner
Docudrama | Israel/Germany/France | 2022 | 78 min
New York Premiere
In this docudrama, Zohar Wagner tells the story of Kochava Levy (Dana Ivgy), the forgotten heroine of the deadly 1975 Hotel Savoy terror attack in Tel Aviv, who formed an unlikely connection with one of the attackers.
In Person: Fri, Nov 3, 5:30 pm, $18 | Followed by Shabbat Dinner $36 (dinner + movie)
Streaming: Nov 2–12, $18
Madrasa (TV Series)
مدرسة / מדרסה
Dir. Guri Alfi
Narrative | Israel | 2023 | 20 ep x 25 min
New York Premiere
A comedy television series set at a bilingual Jewish-Arab high school in Israel, where students are learning how to break down age-old walls of suspicion, racism, and hostility.
In Person: Sat, Nov 4, 2 pm (1 episode), FREE
Streaming: Nov 2–16 (20 episodes), $18
East Side (TV Series)
איסט סייד
Dir. Evgeny Ruman
Narrative | Israel | 2023 | 10 ep x 45 min
International Premiere
Israeli Momi (Yehuda Levi) brokers sketchy property deals between the Arab residents of East Jerusalem and the right-wing Jewish groups trying to take over. He’ll do anything to make a deal—but not because of right-wing ideology.
In Person: Sat, Nov 4, 3 pm (1 episode), FREE
Streaming: Nov 2–12 (10 episodes), $18
Innocence
Dir. Guy Davidi
Documentary | Denmark/Israel/Finland/Iceland | 2022 | 100 min
New York Premiere
Young Israelis know that army service awaits them when they turn 18. Diary excerpts of young people who died while in service express their fears and struggles with the imposed violence that leaves no room for their own principles. This documentary takes us inside a militarized childhood and adolescence.
In Person: Sat, Nov 4, 4:30 pm, FREE
Mediterranean Fever
Dir. Maha Haj
Waleed, a Palestinian living in Haifa with his wife and two children, is a struggling writer with depression. When he meets new neighbor Jalal, a small-time crook, the two men form an unexpected friendship and become inseparable. This dark comedy won a prize for best screenplay at the Cannes Film Festival.
In Person: Sat, Nov 4, 7 pm, $18
Streaming: Nov 2–12, $18
Children of Peace
اولاد السلام ילדי השלום
Dir. Maayan Schwartz
Documentary | Israel | 2022 | 58 min
East Coast Premiere
A group of children were brought up in a utopian social experiment in Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam, the only community in the world where Palestinians and Israelis chose to live together in co-existence. Now adults, these “children of peace” face a reality of political turmoil, war, and societal segregation.
In Person: Sun, Nov 5, 2:30 pm, $18
Streaming: Nov 2–12, $18
The Checkpoint Women: Memories
שומרות הסף: זכרונות
Dir. Eliezer Yaari
Documentary | Israel | 2023 | 60 min
International Premiere
The story of the Israeli women of Machsom Watch (Checkpoint Watch), who stood at the checkpoints between Israel and the West Bank to safeguard the human rights of Palestinians. Their courageous documentation gives an inside look at daily life under occupation.
In Person: Sun, Nov 5, 4:30 pm, $18
Streaming: Nov 2–12, $18
Seven Blessings
Dir. Ayelet Menahemi
Narrative | Israel | 2023 | 111 min
New York Premiere
Marie was just two years old when her mother, who was blessed with many children, gave her to her barren sister, a common custom practiced by Moroccan Jews back in the day. Forty years later, in the 1990s in Israel, Marie is walked down the aisle by both of her “mothers”. Her large family prepares for the Seven Blessings tradition, a week of festive meals in honor of the bride. But Marie still harbors feelings of anger and pain. Along these seven days, old wounds and secrets surface and the celebration turns into a bittersweet explosion of food, drama and belated forgiveness.
Israel’s official entry for the 2024 Academy Awards.
In Person: Sun, Nov 5, 6:30 pm, $18
Mourning in Lod*
Dir. Hilla Medalia
Documentary | US | 2023 | 73 min
New York City Premiere
This documentary follows the fates of three families that are inextricably intertwined in a vicious cycle of violence in the Israeli city of Lod, where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side.
In Person: Mon, Nov 6, 5:30 pm, $18
Alam
Dir. Firas Khoury
Narrative | France/Tunisia/Palestine/Saudi Arabia/Qatar | 2022 | 109 min
New York Premiere
In a Palestinian town in Israel, Tamer and his friends lead a typical high school student’s life until the arrival of Maysaa’. Tamer falls for her and is drawn into her activism, joining her in an operation to covertly raise the Palestinian flag and peacefully disrupt Israeli celebrations.
In Person: Mon, Nov 6, 7 pm, $18
Israelism
Dir. Erin Axelman + Sam Eilertsen
Documentary | US | 2023 | 84 min
When two young American Jews raised to unconditionally love Israel witness the brutal way Israel treats Palestinians, their lives take sharp left turns. They join a movement of young American Jews battling the old guard to redefine Judaism’s relationship with Israel, revealing a deepening generational divide over modern Jewish identity.
In Person: Tue, Nov 7, 5:30 pm, $18
A Gaza Weekend*
Dir. Basil Khalil
Narrative | UK/Palestinian Territories | 2022 | 90 min
In this comedy, Israel locks down to prevent the spread of a deadly virus. A British-Israeli couple entrusts two Palestinian street merchants to get them out of the country via the Gaza Strip—which has remained mysteriously untouched by the virus.
In Person: Tue, Nov 7, 7:30 pm, $18
Egypt, a Love Song
מצרים, שיר אהבה
Dir. Iris Zaki
Docudrama | Israel | 2022 | 55 min
Souad Zaki was a popular Jewish-Arab singer in 1940s Egypt. But after her husband left her, she was forced to flee to Israel and make ends meet as a domestic cleaner. Directed by Souad’s granddaughter Iris, this docudrama tells Souad’s dramatic story that crosses nations, cultures, and generations.
In Person: Wed, Nov 8, 5:30 pm, $18
Streaming: Nov 2–12, $18
The Taste of Apples Is Red*
Dir. Ehab Tarabieh
Narrative | Israel/Germany | 2022 | 83 min
New York Premiere
In the Druze mountain villages between Syria and Israel, Kamel, a respected sheik, must make an impossible decision between family and duty when his estranged brother returns to the Golan Heights after 47 years in exile.
In Person: Wed, Nov 8, 7:30 pm, $18
Closing Night: The Other*
Dir. Joy Sela
Documentary | US | 2023 | 104 min
World Premiere
A documentary exploring the complex relationship between Israelis and Palestinians. Featuring accounts from people living within the realities of the conflict and the occupation, this film offers a powerful, nuanced look into entrenched divisions and shared humanity.
In Person: Thu, Nov 9, 6 pm, $21 | Followed by reception
OTHER ISRAEL DEMOCRACY SUMMIT
Israel is facing a democratic crisis that has unleashed the biggest protest movement the country has ever seen. Since January, there have been massive weekly demonstrations against the government’s plan to overhaul its judicial system, annex the Palestinian territories, and curtail the rights of minorities. Join us for discussions and events on the future of equality and the fight for democracy in Israel.
Ticketing:
Sun, Nov 5 and Mon, Nov 6
In Person: Day Pass ($18), 2 Day Pass ($30)
Virtual: Day Pass ($10), 2 Day Pass ($18)
About the Other Israel Film Festival
The Other Israel Film Festival, founded in 2007, presents high-quality cinema that inspires conversation and takes an in-depth look into Israeli and Palestinian societies and underrepresented populations in Israel. The festival explores human stories and social issues for Israel and its neighbors. Other Israel presents dramatic and documentary films, as well as panels and events about history, culture, and identity. With partner organizations, the festival aims to engage the community, deepen its views, challenge its perspectives, and drive it to action. Learn more at otherisrael.org.
About the Israel Film CenterThe Israel Film Center of the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan is the leading resource for Israeli films in America, with the goal of expanding Israel’s emerging film industry and promoting Israeli culture in America. The center, a program of The Carole Zabar Center for Film, serves as an exhibitor, promoter, educator, funder, distributor, producer, network organizer, advisor, and festival producer, and includes a viewing library and online database of Israeli cinema and the leading Israeli film streaming site.
About the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan
Together with its community, the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan creates opportunities for people to connect, grow, and learn within an ever-changing Jewish landscape. Located on 76th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, the JCC is a vibrant non-profit community center on the Upper West Side. It also presents a robust slate of virtual programming, serving an even wider community. The JCC serves over 55,000 people annually through 1,200 programs each season that educate, inspire, and transform participants’ minds, bodies, and spirits. Throughout COVID-19, the JCC has pivoted to meet the community online, exceeding 102,000 registrations to over 3,000 virtual classes and programs in the earliest part of the pandemic. Since its inception, the JCC has been committed to serving the community by offering programs, classes, and events that reach beyond neighborhood boundaries, reaching people at all stages of their lives. Learn more at mmjccm.org.
