Israel’s Minister of Culture and Sports, Miki Zohar, has announced the inauguration of the Israeli pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival, showcasing Israeli films originating from the “Gaza Envelope” regions.
Established for the eighth time under the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Israeli Pavilion will serve as a platform for film creation, co-productions, and collaborations between the Israeli film industry and foreign counterparts. This year, the focus of the pavilion will be on the inhabitants of the Gaza Envelope area.
For the first time, the pavilion will feature Israeli films by directors from Sapir College in Sderot, situated just north of Gaza. These films aim to shed light on the unprecedented realities faced by the region’s residents. They explore the effects of prolonged exposure to traumatic events on children, the challenges of living in an area under constant emergency conditions, and more. Notably, all films were produced before July 10.
Following the film screenings, discussions will be held led by director Michal Lavi, whose film is showcased in the pavilion, and her brother-in-law Omri Miran, who was previously abducted in Gaza.
In addition to film screenings, the pavilion will host international panels focusing on “diversity in cinema” and a women’s panel featuring female leaders in the cinema industry from conflict-affected countries. Various events and meetings with industry professionals aim to foster dialogue and foster international collaborations.
The Israeli pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival welcomes visitors from May 14 to May 21, 2024.