our story 12th international marketing forum

Our Story:
11 th International Marketing Forum
:‫הסיפור שלנו‬
‫ חיפה‬11-‫פורום השיווק הבינלאומי ה‬
Friday, October 10th - Tuesday, October 14th, 2014
Festival City,
30th Haifa International Film Festival
Our Story:
11 th International Marketing Forum
Training Workshop and Pitching Seminar
International Pitching Conference
Haifa Cinemarket 4
Transmedia Storytelling
Polish Delegation Roundtable Creative Planning Workshop
Film/TV: Enemies, a Love Story
Haifa US Film Initiative 2014
1:1 meetings and professional networking
11th International Marketing Forum with the kind support of:
Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israel Export and International Co-operation Institute, Polish Institute in Warsaw, Polish Institute in Tel Aviv, Israel Film Fund, Makor Foundation,
Scripwriters Guild of Israel, Israel Producers Association, G and H Media, Wagner College, The Post
Republic, Israel Film Center at JCC Manhattan, Kibbutzim College, School of Communications and Film.
G and H Media
Our Story International Marketing Forum Haifa is a cinematic
initiative which runs throughout the year peaking at the
Haifa International Film Festival to promote co-productions
in all stages of Israeli films. Visiting international film
and television professionals - writers, directors, producers,
broadcasters, film fund directors, and distributors, cross
aspirations and expectations with the Israel Industry.
This is a marketing arena of film and television intended to
expand creative boundaries and liaison professionally from
idea to screen.
THE ISRAEL EXPORT AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION INSTITUTE
Dear Guests,
The Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute is proud to celebrate
the 11th International Marketing Forum at the 30th International Film Festival,
indeed numbers which indicate a profound commitment to the art and craft of Cinema.
We will continue to promote and create new opportunities for Israeli films and
filmmakers in Israel and abroad, and wish you all great encounters and international
collaborations.
Mira Geshel, Manager of Film and Television
ISRAEL MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes all guests and participants to the
11th International Marketing Forum, extending our wishes that your visit to Israel
will be exciting, enriching and will result in fruitful professional relationships.
We know that each and every one of you becomes an ambassador of good will, and we
hope to see you here again and again - Welcome!
Vered Heller, Head of Film Sector
Israel MInistry of Foreign Affairs
POLISH FILM INSTITUTE IN WARSAW
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Polish cinema has always enjoyed warm reception and great interest from the
organizing team of the Haifa festival - Israel's largest and most important
international film event. This year's festival lineup will feature several films
from Ida by director Pawel Pawlikowski, Poland's candidate for Best Foreign
Language Film in the Academy Award, to films produced with support from the Polish
Film Institute - films by Robert Glinski, Anna Kazejak, Jan Jakub Kolski, and Jan
Kidawa-Błonski. I would also like to encourage you to participate in industry
meetings with Polish producers and representatives of the Polish Film Institute.
It might be here, at the Haifa film festival, that new international film projects
spring to life.
I would like to wish all the viewers, guests, and the organizing team of the jubilee
30th Haifa International Film Festival nothing but exceptional festival screenings
and unforgettable emotions about Polish cinema.
Agnieszka Odorowicz
Polish Film Institute
POLISH INSTITUTE IN TEL AVIV
Almost half of the Jewish films brought out between 1910 and 1950 were made in Poland.
In 1920s and 1930s Warsaw was the center of the vibrant Yiddish cinematic world that
flourished and introduced Polish cinema to the global stage and audience. “Yiddle
with His Fiddle” (“Yidl mitn fidl“), with the legendary American actress Molly
Picon, as one of the most popular motion pictures of the era, is the best example of
an importance of Polish-Jewish cinema.
We hope that the Film Co-production Agreement between the State of Israel and
Poland, signed in 2013, provides an opportunity for filmmakers and producers from
both countries to work closely and will enable mutual cultural benefits.
We, the Polish Institute in Tel Aviv, wish all of us who admire and believe in the
importance of cinema, a continuing cooperation of Israeli and Polish filmmakers.
We are looking to the future with a strong wish and hope that Polish-Israeli films
will repeat the success of the Jewish cinema of interwar Poland.
With warm regards,
Karol Prejna, Deputy Director
ISRAEL FILM FUND
We are always on the lookout for new projects and ideas, and look forward to the Haifa
OUR STORY Marketing Forum which provides a great launching pad for new projects.
We are happy to welcome this year guests from a variety of markets and industries,
some neighboring, some further away, some with Co-Production agreements, some still
working on it.
We wish you all an enjoyable, challenging day of great projects and collaboration
and a warm welcome.
Katriel Schory, Executive Director
Israel Film Fund
MAKOR FOUNDATION FOR FILM AND TV
We are proud to be partners in OUR STORY Marketing Forum and grow each year as
we join our filmmakers in their passion to the story of our daily drama into
international films.
We welcome all participants on this 30th Anniversary of the Haifa International
Film Festival and look forward to expanding markets and international screens.
Wishing you success,
Gideon Ganani, Executive Director
Makor Foundation for Film and Television
SCRIPTWRITERS GUILD OF ISRAEL
The Scriptwriters Guild of Israel is proud to continue its support of Our Story
Marketing Forum, this year also celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Haifa
International Film Festival, and wishes to extend a warm welcome to the organizers,
local scriptwriters and distinguished guests. This is an annual highlight
for the screenwriting profession in Israel, and we greatly appreciate the new
international liaisons which are triggered as we present our work. The projects to
be pitched this year showcase a variety of talents, veteran and new, varied genres
and an assortment of unique voices. These will no doubt result in future films
which will be enjoyed by all.
Enjoy!
Amit Leor, Chairman
Scriptwriters Guild of Israel
ISRAEL PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION
Israel Film and TV Producers are happy to welcome – on the occasion of the 30th
Haifa Film Festival - all participants of OUR STORY International Marketing
Forum to this 11th journey of creative collaborations.
This journey begins with ideas which take form and flight to overseas markets, and
inspire partnerships which grow into co-productions.
We seek new ventures and collaborations and look forward to this professional
encounter,
Enjoy the opportunity,
Assaf Amir, Chairman
Israel Producers Association
HAIFA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
We are honored and happy to celebrate the, 30th anniversary of the HAIFA FILM
FESTIVAL, along with the 11th international marketing forum. It is a great
pleasure to share with you - our friends and participants who join us - another
year of diverse and exciting Industry Events.
I deeply hope, that you'll find fresh and creative Israeli stories and
opportunities of dialogue and coproduction.
As you discuss new ideas and opportunities, we invite you to enjoy the delightful
Festival around you, the films, master classes, receptions, and the unique atmosphere
of Haifa.
Thank you and see you again,
Pnina Blayer, Artistic Director
Haifa International Film Festival
Our Story:
11TH INTERNATIONAL MARKETING FORUM
Our Industry Events include 4 days of passionate and inspiring cinematic dialogue:
Our Story 11 Pitching Forum will be offering 15 pre-selected Israeli projects
which dramatize the conflicted life in Israel, and provide a new perspective of its
people, we invited an additional Polish pitch to join us in this endeavor.
As always we will be preparing the filmmakers for the Sunday event, in which our
International Table will be curiously listening to their stories. We have guests
from Belgium, France, Germany, Poland, Turkey, UK, Ukrain, USA, and more.
Thank you, ALL.
The Polish Delegation of filmmakers is here to mark 10 years to the Polish Institute
in Warsaw and to establish deeper liaisons in view of the Co-Production Treaty
between Israel and Poland signed in 2013.
This year we will launch a new platform of Transmedia Storytelling and cross over
to peek into the complex relations between Film and TV, premiering a television
series. We launch the new program of creative planning, how to actually get your
films made, and continue with our Work In Progress Cinemarket Competition and our
Haifa US Initiative to promote films in the development stage.
Our Awards for 2014: Cinemarket Postproduction services up in the amount of up to
Euros 20,000; Haifa US Film Initiative in the amount of up to $25,000 in specific
development stations; Polish Institute Award for Co-production at the Pitching
Forum in the amount of 2,000 EUROS; Israel Film Fund Development Assistance Award
of 2000 Euros; Makor Foundation Development Assistance Award of 2,000 Euros.
We greatly appreciate all our supporters, sponsors and friends! We would not be
able to continue without your trust and support, your wisdom and faith in our work.
We salute all of you. How exciting!
Ruth Lev Ari, Director / Gitit Wainer, Producer / Yaron Seelig, Moderator
Schedule
FRIDAY, OCT 10TH, 2014
TRAINING WORKSHOP
10:00-14:00PITCHING SEMINAR
With Ken Aguado (The Hollywood
Pitching Bible: A Practical Guild to Pitching for Film and Television)
and Julie Gray (Just Effing Entertain Me: Screenwriting Atlas)
SUNDAY, OCT 12TH, 2014
INTERNATIONAL PITCHING CONFERENCE
MIRRORS HALL
14:00-17:00 1:1 meetings with filmmakers
17:00
POLISH INSTITUTE RECEPTION
in Festival’s Garden
17:30
MARKETING FORUM AWARDS CEREMONY
Polish Institute Award
Israel Film Fund Grant
Makor Foundation Grant
Haifa US Film Initiative
Cinemarket the Post Republic Award
MONDAY, OCT 13TH - TUESDAY, OCT 14TH, 2014
10:00-17:00 CREATIVE PLANNING WORKSHOP
IDEA TO REALITY - HOW TO GET YOUR FILM MADE!
with Stephen Greenwald and Paula Landry
Kibbutzim College/Wagner College
08:30
Coffee and Registration
09:30
Greetings and Introductions
Adv. Yona Yahav, Mayor of Haifa
International Table
10:00
Pitching Presentations
13:00
Lunch
MIRRORS HALL
14:00
Pitching Presentations
12:00-13:30 Master Class with Charlott Sieling,
director, BRON/BROEN, THE BRIDGE
14:00-16:00FILM/TV: ENEMIES, A LOVE STORY
Discussion on the complex relations
Charlott Sieling, director, BRON/BROEN, THE BRIDGE,
Hagai Levi, THE AFFAIR
Noah Stollman, PILLARS OF SMOKE
Keren Margalit, YELLOW PEPPERS moderator: Ruta Kupfer (HAAREZ)
17:00
Networking Festival’s Garden
Moderators: Ruth Lev Ari, Yaron Seelig
SUNDAY, OCT 12TH - MONDAY, OCT 13TH, 2014
CINEMARKET SCREENINGS
BEIT HECHT, FESTIVAL CITY
MONDAY, OCT 13TH, 2014
PROFESSIONAL DISCUSSIONS AND WORKSHOPS
11:00-12:30 POLISH DELEGATION
ROUNDTABLE BREAKFAST
Marking 10 years to the Polish Institute in Warsaw
12:30
TRANSMEDIA STORYTELLING
With Caroline DeCroix, Cross Video Days and Simon Bouisson,
Photosim , france
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14TH, 2014
16:00
THE AFFAIR, PREMIERE
In presence of creator Hagai Levi simultaneously with its premiere at HOT
International Guests
KEN AGUADO, PRODUCER, STANDARD FILM GROUP, USA
Ken Aguado is a long time studio executive and producer who’s credits include THE SALTON
SEA, starring Val Kilmer for Warner Bros, SEXUAL LIFE starring Kerry Washington and Anne
Heche for Showtime, and the recently released film STANDING UP written and directed by
DJ Caruso (DISTURBIA, EAGLE EYE). Ken Aguado is also the co-author of the entertainment
industry tome The Hollywood Pitching Bible: A Practical Guide to Pitching Movies and
Television.
ARNAUD BELANGEON-BOUAZIZ, URBAN DISTRIBUTION, FRANCE
Arnaud Bélangeon-Bouaziz is a graduate of INSEEC Business School (Master's Degree in
Marketing & Communication). He joined UDI in 2011, and is now in charge of Marketing
and the Head of Festivals. With offices in Paris and NYC, UDI - URBAN DISTRIBUTION
INTERNATIONAL (ex-UMedia) represents international art house films which distinguish
themselves through innovation and originality. UDI have represented films by acclaimed
directors such as Tsai Ming Liang, Peter Greenaway, Jean-Luc Godard, Aki Kaurismaki,
Manuel de Oliveira, Raul Ruiz, Hitoshi Matsumoto, Hong Sang-Soo... and promising
newcomers such as Argentinian director Pablo Giorgelli (Camera d’Or winner with LAS
ACACIAS in 2011) or Adam Leon (winner of the SXSW Grand Jury Prize with GIMME THE LOOT in
2012) among many others. We also act as French distributor for 6-8 films per year, and are
active in the field of production through our affiliate company URBAN FACTORY.
CAROLINE BONMARCHAND, PRODUCER, AVENUE B PRODUCTIONS, FRANCE
Caroline spent four years in New York where she produced Raphael Nadjari's first films: THE
SHADE AND I and I AM JOSH POLONSKI’S BROTHER. In 2002, Caroline returned to Paris where
she created Avenue B Productions (2002) and continued to produce both documentary and
fiction projects. In 2006, she co-produced Stéphane Allagnon’s first feature, VENT MAUVAIS
with Gaumont and continued her collaboration with Marc Fitoussi with COPACABANA, also
co-producing Nader T. Homayoun's first feature, TEHERAN after producing his documentary,
IRAN: A CINEMATOGRAPHIC REVOLUTION. In 2011, she produced Srinath Samarasinghe's first
feature film entitled, A CLOUD IN A GLASS OF WATER, 2012 AU SECOURS, J'AI GANGE AU LOTO
for Arte, and more.
SIMON BOUISSON, WRITER/DIRECTOR TRANSMEDIA, PHOTOSIM, FRANCE
With a diploma from the French national film school - la Fémis, he has realised LES
COMMUNES DE PARIS (lescommunesdeparis.fr), the first of many creations for new media
in the form of interactive documentaries and fictions: JOUR DE VOTE (jourdevote.fr),
MISSIONS PRINTEMPS (missionsprintemps.blog.arte.tv), TOUR EN TÊTE (tour-en-tete.
radiofrance.fr), LES CARDINAUX (lescardinaux.com), TOKYO REVERSE (vimeo.com/88907972)
or the latest: STAINSBEAUPAYS (stainsbeaupays.fr). His interactive productions can be
explored at www.photosim.fr
CAROLINE DECROIX, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, CROSS VIDEO DAYS, FRANCE
Caroline Decroix, Communication Manager for Mobile Film Festival & Cross Video Days
joined the French National Audiovisual Institute (INA) in 2005 and integrated the
Postgraduate, Training and Research Department in order to participate in the creation
of Ina SUP (2007), INA’s Postgraduate School in Cinema, Television & New Media. Caroline
was appointed Coordination Manager for the Master Degrees in Producing, Audiovisual
Heritage, Marketing & Distribution (with Sorbonne University) and multi-screens
Directing (with Ecole Normale Supérieure). She organized the 1st "Young Independents
Producers’ Day" in France (2011), and co-created the French Young Independents Producers’
Federation. She is currently Deputy President of the Federation. she joined MobilEvent
(2013), as Head of Communication and now participates in the development of Mobile Film
Festival (1 Minute, 1 Mobile, 1 Film) and Cross Video Days, leading financing market in
Europe for cross-media audiovisual contents
JULIE GRAY, SCRIPT ANALYST, STORIES WITHOUT BORDERS
A long time story analyst in Hollywood, Julie Gray is the Director of the Tel Aviv
Writer’s Salon and the author of two books: I am Not Myself and Just Effing Entertain Me: A
Screenwriter’s Atlas. Julie has taught screenwriting at Warner Bros. Studios, The American
Pitch Fest, The London Screenwriter’s Festival and The University of West England in
Bristol. A blogger for The Huffington Post, The Times of Israel and Script Magazine, Julie
lives in Tel Aviv where she consults with writers all over the world on their scripts and
novels and is working on a memoir. Learn more about Julie at her website, Stories Without
Borders.
STEPHEN GREENWALD, PRODUCER, G AND H MEDIA, USA
Stephen R. Greenwald has been professionally involved in the motion picture and
related media industries for over 25 years as an attorney, financier, corporate
executive, producer and valuation consultant. In 1985 Stephen joined the producer Dino
De Laurentiis to acquire the assets of Embassy Pictures Corp. and became President
of the corporate division of De Laurentiis Entertainment Group. In 1988, Stephen
became Chairman, President and CEO of DEG. Since 1990, Stephen acted as consultant
to major US and European banks and to US media companies in connection with film
industry matters. His clients have included Bank of America, Credit Lyonnais Bank,
Sony Pictures, Imperial Kapital GMBH and MGM/UA. Stephen serves as Director of Film
and Media Initiatives at Wagner College in New York. He is the co-author with Paula
Landry of “This Business of Film” published by Random House in February, 2009.
JANJA KRALJ, PRODUCER, KINOELEKTRON, FRANCE
Janja Kralj founded KinoElektron based in Paris, a company which is committed to an
international cinema and believes in a free vision of the cinema, without borders or
categorization. In 2008, Janya produced her first feature film 2 SUNNY DAYS by Ognjen
Svilicic. Part of EAVE Media program 2010, she participated a year later at Rotterdam Film
Lab 2011. In 2013 she was nominated a member of CNC film fond board - Cinémas du monde.
The company (co)produced features like OFF-WHITE LIES by Maya Kenig and MARUSSIA by Eva
Pervolovici, (both Berlinale). Its latest production, THESE ARE THE RULES by Croatian
director Ognjen Svilicic, (Venice Film Festival/Award for Best Actor). KinoElektron
just finished IN YOUR NAME by Marco van Geffen and MANPOWER by Noam Kaplan and is also
developing SAUDADA by Antonio Méndez (Atelier de la Cinéfondation), GOLD MINE by Ben
Russell and I WANT TO BE LIKE YOU by Konstantin Bojanov (Berlinale coproduction market)
among others.
PAULA LANDRY, PRODUCER AND AUTHOR, WAGNER COLLEGE, USA
Paula Landry, MBA, is an author and film producer. As a media consultant, Landry creates
business plans and marketing plans for a wide variety of corporate and individual clients.
She teaches business and media classes at NYU, SVA, Wagner College and the Metropolitan
College of New York in New York City. She is the author of Scheduling and Budgeting Your
Film, A Panic Free Guide, (Focal Press, 2012), co-author of This Business of FILM, with
Stephen Greenwald (Randomhouse, 2009) and co-author of Sell Your Screenplay in 30 Days,
With New Media, with Marilyn Horowitz, and the monthly column Writing Wrap Up at Script
Magazine - ScriptMag.com. Projects include films TESIS 2, ASYLUM SEEKERS, WALKING DEAD
Webisodes, THE ART OF FLIGHT, video games and apps, including NIGHT OF THE WALKING DEAD,
ZOMBIE CRUSH and has served as a consultant for Disney, Entertainment Weekly, Nintendo,
and more.
MICHAEL REUTER, MANAGING PARTNER, THE POST REPUBLIC, GERMANY
Michael Reuter is Managing Partner of the The Post Republic GmbH with offices in Berlin,
Halle and London. The Post Republic was set up by Michael Reuter and Vertigo’s Allan
Niblo and James Richardson in 2007 and is one of the leading full service Postproduction
Facilities in the European Marketplace today. The company is focusing on cinema features
and servicing an international client base. Post Republic’s Film Division is producing,
co-producing and co-financing international feature productions. Before setting up Post
Republic Michael worked as Head Of Production at German postproduction/production house
Elektrofilm/EuroArts where he was involved in identifying, evaluating and executing Coproduction projects for the companies international Film Division
KEITH ROTTMAN, PRODUCER. SHOTGUN FILMS, BELGIUM
Keith Rotman is a Producer and salesman that has done films and documentaries all over
the world. KEith has been also head of production of Seven Arts Canada in the 80’s. Among
the projects that he has produced are; ANGEL HEART, THE EDDIE SEDGWICK STORY, URBAN
EXPLORER and LET’S GET LOST. In these last years Rotman has been a partner/producer in
a German Company, SHOTGUN PICTURES, which produced various films and teamed up with
Zentropa Films to do PRINCESS directed by Anders Morgenthaler and MY BLACK LITTLE HEART
directed by Claire Angelique. We also produced the hit film ADRIFT AKA OPEN WATERS 2
directed by Hans Horn. Keith now lives in Brussels and is developing projects to be shot
in Europe and also in Israel with Capa Jerusalem and is in the process of developing a
Polish film and another film with Ander Fetscher.
CHARLOTTE SEILING, DIRECTOR, THE BRIDGE, BRON/BROEN, DENMARK,
Charlotte Sieling is a recognized Danish director having directed numerous popular and
award winning TV series during the past years, among them the family saga BETTER TIMES,
the Emmy awarded UNIT 1 and THE KILLING. She directed the first four episodes of the
Danish/Swedish crime series BROEN (THE BRIDGE), for which she received great reviews
and caught great international attention. She worked as conceptualizing director on
the 3rd season of BAFTA-winning Danish television series BORGEN, concerning fictive
Prime Minister Birgitte Nyborg, which alongside THE KILLING has enjoyed great success
in particular UK and other countries around the world. Her feature film debut ABOVE THE
STREET, BELOW THE WATER, was released in 2009. Since 2012 she has directed episodes
of popular American TV-series such as GRACELAND, WHITE COLLAR, WAYWARD PINES, THE
AMERICANS, THE STRAIN, TYRANT and most recently HOMELAND.
RAVIT TURJEMAN, DISTRIBUTION, DRAGONMAN FILMS, NEW YORK
Founder and Managing Director of Dragoman Films, a NYC-based boutique film distribution
company, specializing in grass root marketing to niche markets in North America. Ravit
also provides consulting services to the Israel Film Center at the JCC in Manhattan, and
serves as director and programmer of numerous film festivals in the Tri-State area, among
them The Other Israel Film Festival, ReelAbilities: NY Disabilities Film Festival, and
NY Sephardic
KATHARINA WOERNER, INTERNATIONAL CO-PRODUCTION CONSULTANT, GERMANY
After a few years in film production companies and CinePostProduction, Katharine turned
to consulting for international co-productions of feature movies, specializing on the
markets of Israel and Germany, among her projects: GIORA FIEDMAN for film42, director/
producer: Eike Goreczka; DIALY BREAD, Shtuka Sanook, producer: Kobi Azran - international
festival coordination, QUE CARAMBA ES LA VIDA, Flying Moon Filmproduktion - cinema
distribution Germany, OUR FATHER, director Meni Yaesh, for Transfax, producer Marek
Rozenbaum, SOLENZARA, by Roy Krispel, producer Itai Tamir, Laila Films, THE GERMAN
CAKEMAKER, by Ofir Graizer, producer Itai Tamir, Laila Films, BALDY HEIGHTS, 2D animation
project based on the bestseller of Ephraim Sidon, producer Chilik Michaeli, UCM and
more.
OLENA YARSHOVA, PRODUCER, TATO FILM UKRAINE/TURKEY
Ukrainian film producer living in Turkey. She started her career in film industry
working for Kyiv IFF Molodist and Eurasia Film Market in Turkey. Olena Yershova
executive produced MY JOY by Sergei Loznitsa, Cannes IFF in 2010. In 2011 she created
her own production company – Tatofilm that operates both in Ukraine and Turkey. Among
her credits, BLIND DATES (2013)by Levan Koguashvili, Toronto 2013, Berlinale Forum, 14
awards on International festivals, included to the long list of European Film Academy
awards, LOVE ME by Maryna Er Gorbach and Mehmet Bahadir Er (a first Ukrainian-Turkish
co-production), 8 awards on international festivals, ODESSA documentary by Florin Iepan
(a Romanian-German-Ukrainian co-production), MOTHERLAND by Senem Tuzen (Turkey) is in
postproduction.
FRANCOIS YON, FOUNDING PARTNER, FILMS DISTRIBUTION, FRANCE
Paris based FILMS DISTRIBUTION founded in 1997 and its Berlin sister company FILMS
BOUTIQUE founded in 2008 are international sales company handling feature films which
have first class festival exposure potential. FILMS DISTRIBUTION picks up 15 to 20
films every year on, and an extra 5 to 10 are signed on by FILMS BOUTIQUE yearly. FILMS
DISTRIBUTION also handles a library of 300 classic movies. François Yon has a diversified
experience in international and domestic acquisitions, sales and in marketing. He started
his career in 1990 at Fox Lorber, a sales agency in New York, as sales.He acted as Head
of Sales in Paravision. Then he joined, as director of TV sales, UGC-DA, the main Films
library in France at the time subsequently acquired by Canal Plus. In 1997 he created
Films Distribution with Nicolas Brigaud-Robert. He also developed other activities
including notably ALLOCINE INFO a cable TV sold to Canal Plus in 2003. CAROLE ZABAR, FOUNDER, OTHER ISRAEL FILM FESTIVAL AND FUND, NEW YORK
Mrs. Zabar has been an active supporter of Israeli documentary filmmaking over the last
decade and is the founder of the Other Israel Film Festival and Fund. As part of her
support for Israeli cultural, social and political causes, Mrs. Zabar serves as board
member of The JCC in Manhattan, New Israel Fund, among others
ISSAC ZABLOCKI, DIRECTOR, ISRAEL FILM CENTER AT JCC MANHATTAN, USA
Isaac attended film school at Columbia University and went on to work at Miramax
films. He produced and directed a feature film entitled Reality Lost and developed film
educational programs for the Board of Education. Since 2004 Isaac has been the Director
of Film Programs at the JCC in Manhattan. He programs over seven film festivals a year
including The Other Israel Film Festival and Reelabilites: The NY Disabilities Film
Festival. Isaac also teaches film in various institutions.
POLISH FILM INSTITUTE DELEGATION TO HAIFA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
AGNIESZKA ODOROWICZ, DIRECTOR OF THE POLISH FILM INSTITUTE WARSAW
An economist, a graduate of the University of Economics in Krakow, and until 2010 an
academic at the Department of Trade and Market Institutions. From 1998 to 2004 she was
Artistic Director of the Student Song Festival and the Krzysztof Penderecki International
Competition of Contemporary Chamber Music. From 2004 to 2005, she was Deputy Minister
of Culture, in charge of legal, economic and European affairs, including copyright law,
media and film, planning and executing the budget, legislative work, the implementation
of the National Strategy for the Development of Culture and in charge of European funding.
From 2005 to 2010 she was Director of the Polish Film Institute, and in July 2010, as a
result of a competition, she was re-appointed to the position by the Minister of Culture
and National Heritage. A manager of culture, a member of the Citizens of Culture social
movement of the National Congress of Women and the Pact for Culture team at the Office of
the Prime Minister. On April 2014 appointed by the National Broadcasting Council to the
The Supervisory Board of the Polish Radio. She has co-authored numerous publications on
the economics of culture, and has received various awards and honours for her cultural
activities, including the 2011 Officer’s Cross of the Polonia Restituta Order.
TOMASZ DABROWSKI, HEAD OF THE FILM COMMISSION OF POLAND
Tomasz Dabrowski, graduate of University of Gdansk (Poland), worked for the Polish
regional administration. Since 2002 he was engaged in international projects at the
Center for International Relations in Warsaw. From 2006 till 2013 he worked as the
Director of the Polish Institute in Berlin and was involved in large-scale projects
aimed at promotion of the Polish culture in Germany. Since July 2013 he’s been the Head
of the Film Commission Poland, the institution responsible for promotion of the Polish
audiovisual sector and Poland as a film shooting destination. He is a member of the
European Film Academy and the Association Creative Poland. Film Commission Poland is
working closely with the six regional Polish film commissions, runs a comprehensive
database of film locations in Poland and information concerning Polish film industry,
and it is ready to answer the inquiries regarding Poland’s film resources. FCP is an
active member of renowned international associations - EUFCN and AFCI.
ROBERT GLINSKY, DIRECTOR OF STONES FOR THE RAMPART
Robert Glinski is a film director, a screenwriter and a professor of National Film
School in Lodz (Poland). Among his credtis, STONES FOR THE RAMPART (2014), a feature film
based on the famouos Polish novel, TRACES (2012) a documentary about Wojciech Has, a
Polish great film director, PIGGIES (2009), HOMO.pl, (2007) A documentary film about gays
and lesbians in Poland, BENEK (2007), A feature film about an unemployment miner from
Silesian district in Poland, THE CALL OF THE TOAD / UNKENRUFE (2005), A feature film
based on the novel of Guenter Grass, THE GIRLS FROM A BORSTAL (2004), A docu serie for TV,
HOLIDAY WEEKEND (2003), A feature TV film - the political love story, and more.
JAN KIDAWA-BŁONSKI, DIRECTOR/PRODUCER, SAMUEL
Jan Kidawa-Blonski studied architecture at the Silesian Polytechnic in Gliwice
and direction at the State Film School in Łódz. In 1981 he graduated from Directing
department and began to work with Silensia, Oko and Zodiak Film Studios. In 1991 he cofounded and acted as President of Gambit Production, in 1990-1994 he was President of the
Association of the Polish Filmmakers, and in 1990-2001 a member of the Polish Committee
of Cinematography. Among his recent credits: LITTLE ROSE (2010) (Goldn Lion 35th Polish
Film Festival, Best Film San Francisca CA, Bst Director San Francisco CA - Tiburon IFF
‘11), Official Selecvtion» World Greats Montreal ‘10, Haifa ‘10 and more, IN HIDING (2013)
Golden Peacock, Best Actress in Goa IFF :13, SAMUEL (2014) at Haifa IFF ;2014.
JAN KWIECINSKY, WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER, AKSON STUDIO
JAN KWIECINSKI is a London Film School graduate with an MA in filmmaking and with an
MA in Dramatic Literature from the Warsaw Theatre Academy. His work experience includes
producing, writing and directing movies, commercials & music videos. In 2012, along with
Harmony Korine & Alexey Fedorchenko, he has co-directed his first feature-length movie
- THE FOURTH DIMENSION. His last script, based on his short movie - THE INCIDENT, was
selected for the 2013 Sundance Directors & Screenwriters LAB. Recently, he was working as
a production assistant on the biggest polish production of 2014 - WARSAW 44.
JOANNA LAPINSKA, DIRECTOR, NEW HORIZONS FILM FESTIVAL
Settled in Warsaw, she studied psychology and film in Poland. She’s been involved in the
T-Mobile New Horizons International Film Festival, the largest film festival in Poland,
since 2002. In 2003 she was among the founders of the New Horizons Association, the main
organizer of the festival. Since then she’s been a member of the management board.
Being the artistic director of the festival Joanna Lapinska is responsible for the
program, guest department and the industry oriented events taking place at the festival.
She is the head of the New Horizons Studio, a workshop for young film professionals held
during the festival. She is also the head of the Polish Days, a new industry event of the
festival focused on presentation of latest Polish films to an international industry
audience. Joanna Lapinska is also actively involved in the distribution program run by
the association, she is the one buying films for the association. Also during her career
she has been helping numerous Polish directors to plan the international stratery for
their films. Joanna Lapinska is the member of the European Film Academy.
EWA PUSZCZYNSKA, PRODUCER, IDA, OPUS FILM
Ewa graduated from English Literature Departament in Lodz where she was working for one
of the most famous Polish puppet theatre Arlekin as a literature researcher, playwrite
editor and advisor. In 1993 she translated IN MY GRANDMOTHER’S PURSE by Eric Bass,
American puppeteer, and was an assistant director to Eric when he was directing his play
in Arlekin. Since 1995 she has been working for Opus Film, independent film production
company in Poland, for the last 15 years managing projects development and execution.
Ewa was producing David Lynch’s photo sessions in Poland and was line producer on Polish
part of his INLAND EMPIRE. She is a tutor at Film School in Lodz and Andrzej Wajda Film
School in Warsaw, MAIA, SOFA, Member of PFA ,EFA. Among her very recent credits: CYRLISON
(Haim Tabakman, Metro Communication), LOST SONS OF THE HOLY LAND (documentary), IDA by
Pawel Pawlikowski, co-production with Phoenix Film, Denmark, screened at the Haifa IFF
2-14, THE CONGRESS by Ari Folman, and more.
JOANNA WENDORFF-ØSTERGAARD, THE POLISH FILM INSTITUTE OF WARSAW
Joanna Wendorff—Østergaard graduated from the University of Łódz where she specialized
in American Literature and Culture and post-graduate studies at the department of Film
Production at Łódz Film School. In 2010-13 she was a student of PHD interdisciplinary
studies at Social Psychology School. Joanna started her career as a producer of TV
commercials, that was followed by being a producer of animation and documentary films in
Anima-pol Film Studio. After her producer`s experiences, she opened Andfriends Agency. In
2006 she was appointed as a head of Media Desk Poland. In 2009-2014 she has been an expert
for Polish Film Institute. Since March 2014 she has been responsible for Institutional
Foreign Relations at Polish Film Institute.
ADDITIONAL POLISH DELIGATION GUEST:
AGNEISZKA KURZYDLO, PRODUCER, MD4 PRODUCTION COMPANY
Agnieszka Kurzydlo, producer, MD4 Production Company. Agnieszka is involved in film
industry since 1992. In 2009 she became involved with Zentropa International Poland as a
managing director. Since the beginning Zentropa International Poland made international
co- productions films, such as “Antichrist” (2009) directed by Lars von Trier, “The Woman
who Dreamt of a Man (2010)” directed by Per Fly, “Elles” (2012) directed by Malgoska
Szumowska, starring Juliette Binoche, and more
ADDITIONAL GUEST:
DANNY GOLDBERG, HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT, EZ FILMS, FRANCE
After a career in the Israeli hi-tech industry, in 2007 I joined Elie Meirovitz, founder
of EZ Films at his company. Since then I’ve been active in production, development,
marketing and distribution of many of EZ Films co-productions. Currently I’m heading
the development at EZ Films, besides coproducing Elad Keidan’s debut feature - entirely
shot in Haifa.
The Projects:
Broken Hearts Inn
The Cousin
Echoes
Father and Son
Jacob’s Dream
One Day, My Father Died
One Mile Away
Piano Fingers
The Sorrow of Young Worko
The Swamp
Through The Wall
Trapped
What Happeed in Poland
Winter in Jerusalem
Yaga is a Witch
Polish Pitch:
The Story of a Certain Sign
Broken Hearts Inn
Feature film, drama, 90 min.
Guilhad Emilio Schenker
Marek Rozenbaum
An original fantasy film about the secret ingredients
of happiness and love SYNOPSIS
Bliss is an ugly and unhappy woman, who has one
unique superpower - the ability to turn happy people
into miserable people. When she meet Joseph, the
only person in the world that her superpower doesn’t
affect him, and discover that her superpowers was
gone with the disappearance of Joseph, she embarks
on a journey to reveal the secret ingredients of true
happiness.
TRIGGER
An original Israeli fantasy film that can appeal to
a wide and international audience, inspired by key
figures of the Jewish mythology fantasy stories.
Marek Rozenbaum / TRANSFAX / marek@transfax.co.il
FILMMAKERS
Guilhad Emilio Schenker is a graduate of Tel
Aviv University Film Department’s Master and
Bachelor programs and a “Berlinale Telnet
Campus” Alumnus. Currently in post-production
of his first feature film “Madame Yankelova’s
Fine Literature Club”.
Marek Rozenbaum / producer, established
Transfax Film Productions in 1988 and produced
over 50 feature films and international coproductions, among them award-winning films
that have received worldwide. Rozenbaum,
Chairman of the Israeli Academy for Cinema
and Television for 10 years, Chairman of
Israel’s Film and Television Producers
Association for 6 years, is today a Member of
the board of the European Film Academy.
The Cousin
Feature film, drama, 90 min.
Tzahi Grad
We are all inflicted with the “conflict” and when our
racism erupts, we too can be hurt!
SYNOPSIS
Naftali, married + 2, simply wishes to renovate the
studio in his village home. He picks up Fahad, a
Palestinian worker, But on the same morning a girl
is attacked in the village and the suspicion falls on
Fahad. Naftali is convinced that Fahad is innocent
and does not surrender to the eruption of racism in
the village. He takes a stand to protect Fahad and
his renovation. However, when Fahad stays the night
matters get out of control, Naftali has a change of
heart, Fahad escapes building up to an exciting &
surprising end.
The Cousin reflects a typical Israeli microcosm and
offers a new and easily identifiable approach to the
“conflict” with much humor and suspense.
TRIGGER
I have been watching the conflict with “psychological
tools” for a long time, especially watching our
deeply rooted fear of the Arabs. We want to think
that we conduct ourselves appropriately,but we are
completely immersed in the situation.
Tzahi Grad / FOULGESTURE / foulgesture@012.net.il
FILMMAKERS
Tzahi Grad / Writer / Director / Producer /Actor
Born in Jerusalem, BA in Mathematics and
Computers. Graduate of Nissan Nativ Acting
School. Among his credits as writer/director:
“Girrafot” (2002), director: “Foul Gesture” (2007).
Echoes
Feature film, drama/comedy, 90 min.
Amikam Kovner
Assaf Snir
Keren Michael
Avner’s wife has a lover. He secretly records their
conversations. When she dies in an accident, all he
is left with are the tapes. Obsessively listening to
them, Avner tries to discover the lover’s identity.
The search will make him doubt everything he thought
was certain.
FILMMAKERS
SYNOPSIS
Assaf Snir is a director and screenwriter,
graduate of the Sam Spiegel Film and
Television School-Jerusalem. During his
studies Assaf had written and directed 3
short films, all had been screened in local
and international film festivals.
Avner (45) suspects his wife Ella (40) has a lover.
Being a man of reason, logic and facts, he is looking
for a proof. Instead of talking to her, he decides to
record her phone conversations, turning into a spy
in his own house.
But before he confronts Ella, she dies in a car
accident, leaving him with so many unanswered
questions. That, and her voice as recorded on tape.
Obsessively listening to those conversations,
between his wife and her lover, Avner tries to find
clues that will lead him to this man. Only the lover
can answer his unsolved questions.
But while searching for one thing, he discovers
another: The woman he listens to is a stranger to him,
so very different from the one he thought he knew.
He tries to understand that woman, to decode their
relationship, and most of all he needs to know: why?
TRIGGER
Although disguised under a detective-like plot
and suspense atmosphere, Echoes is love story. It
is the inherent lack in our own relationships that
fascinates us - the compromises and sacrifices we must
make, if we want to really be with our loved ones.
Keren Michael / SERGE / kerenmich@gmail.com
Amikam Kovner is a director and screenwriter,
graduate (with honors) of Tel Aviv University’s
Film Department. His films were screened and
won awards in numerous film festivals.
Handsome Serge productions based in Tel Aviv,
founded in 2011 by Keren Michael.
Michael’s Recent credits include: “Self
Made” by Shira Geffen (Cannes’ Semaine De
La Critique 2014), “The Muses of Bashevis
Singer” (Haifaff 2014), “The Wanderer” by
Avishai Sivan (Cannes’ Director’s Fortnight
2010). Since 2013, alongside her production
activity, she is handling the talent scouting
and financing for the feature films division
at Dori Media Paran group.
Father and Son
Feature film, drama, 90 min.
Nir Bergman
Dana Idisis
The shared coming-of-age story of a father and his
autistic son who embark together on a journey of
escape, a journey that ultimately leads to a parting
and a new beginning.
SYNOPSIS
Aharon (54) and Guy (24), his autistic son, live
together in a secluded and safe routine. When Tamara,
Guy’s mother and Aharon’s ex-wife, pressures Aharon
to move Guy into a hostel of people his age, Aharon
adamantly refuses. He knows that the boy isn’t cut
out for an institution, that he would only suffer
there, that he would be harmed, that he is scared.
In a spontaneous decision the two escape, and find
themselves wandering between places and figures
from their past toward the discovery of new and
surprising worlds. It is a last journey of father
and son, a joint coming-of-age journey, and journey
of separation and new beginnings.
TRIGGER
Aharon and Guy, his autistic son, find themselves
one day on an escape journey. They are running away
from the law, from Guy’s mother, from the threatening
future, towards the unknown.
For the first time in their lives, they are together
far from their home and their secure routine, and
as Aharon will find out on the journey – it is their
last time too.
Eitan Mansuri / SPIRO FILMS / eitanmansuri@gmail.com
Eitan Mansuri
FILMMAKERS
Nir Bergman
Nir Bergman is among Israel’s leading film
and television directors. His works have won
numerous awards in Israel and abroad and have
been sold for worldwide distribution.
Dana Idisis
Screenwriter and director; her documentary
film ‘Turning Thirteen’ participated in the
2013 DocAviv Film Festival Competition.
Idisis participated in the development of
television series (‘The Foxes’, ‘2.3 Times a
Week’), and wrote award-winning screenplays
(including ‘Foley’, an adaptation to a David
Grossman novella). These days Idisis is
developing a series she created for YES,
Israel’s leading satellite television
provider.
Spiro Films is an Israeli based Production
Company dedicated to producing artistically
ambitious films and aims to promote
expressive voices of new emerging generation
of Israeli writers and directors along side
with well established leading directors.
Jacob’s Dream
Feature film, drama, 90 min.
Yossi Madmony
Alon Aboutboul
Ye’ela Rosenfeld
A man, a woman and a dead body on the run from
the mafia, escape into themselves. It’s a dark,
philosophical comedy where the dead provide the
living with meaning and love, and take them on a
journey closing the gap between the flesh and the
soul.
SYNOPSIS
JACOB AZULAI, a foot soldier in the Israeli mafia in
LA, discovers to his surprise that the body he’s been
asked to chop up into little pieces belongs to an
orthodox Jew. A second glance reveals that beneath
the beard and the side-locks is Joseph – Jacob’s
best friend back from Israel, 21 years ago. Jacob
decides to bring the dead body to proper burial,
but the plot thickens when Joseph’s “born again”
orthodox wife, RUTHIE, arrives in LA and demands
that her husband’s body will be buried in Israel. An
ambitionless criminal, a beautiful orthodox woman,
and a deteriorating body are on the run from the
mafia, on a journey that brings them face to face
with the decisions they’ve made with their lives.
FILMMAKERS
Yossi Madmony
Screenwriter and director. His films have
won awards at major festivals worldwide;
his television shows have received critical
acclaim and awards from the Israeli academy.
Alon Aboutboul
Actor and producer. He has starred in leading
roles in dozens of Israeli and Hollywood
features. Winner of multiple Israeli academy
awards for his performances, lives in Los
Angeles.
Ye’ela Rosenfeld
Director and screenwriter. Lives in Los
Angeles. Her short films have won multiple
awards worldwide. Her debut feature is
forthcoming.
TRIGGER
The death of my big brother, a “born again” orthodox
Jew, was the greatest gift I ever got from him. In
room number 7 in the oncological department, when
the cancer had reached his head and the smell of weed
hung in the air, I experienced the funniest and the
most emotional moments of my life, moments I still
carry with me. This experience, where the dead guide
the living and provide them with something bigger
than life, is one I wish to convey.
Yossi Madmony / MADMONY ABOUTBOUL / ymadmony@bezeqint.net
One day, my father died
Feature film, drama, 90 min.
Tamara Erde
Nathalie Valle
A young Israeli girl discovers that the man who
raised her isn’t her biological father. She’s actually
the daughter of a Palestinian terrorist.
SYNOPSIS
Anna, 20 years old, lives between the army and the
Kibbutz. She learns that her real father is not the
man who raised her but a Palestinian, with whom her
mother had an affair in Paris years ago. She will go
there to discover more about him but her quest will
finally come to an end in Ramallah.
TRIGGER
Through a tense psychological thriller, Tamara’s
project addresses the tragedy of fratricidal hatred
between Israelis and Palestinians.
FILMMAKERS
Tamara Erde / Screenwriter/Director is a
young French-Israeli director, who has been
graduated from Fresnoy school in 2011. Her
artwork involves photography, dance and live
performance art as much as filmmaking.
Nathlie Vallet / Producer Les Films du
Poisson
Les Films du Poisson is an independent
production company displaying a strong
commitment to an exacting and inspired
kind of cinema, that has earned both popular
and critical success and won a string of
international awards; among them an Oscar
nomination for Best Documentary with The
Gatekeepers, five César, Best Director and
Golden Camera in Cannes and many others.
Nathalie Vallet / FILMS DU POISSON / nathalie@filmsdupoisson.com
One Mile Away
Feature film, action comedy, ? min.
Daniela Zucker
Hours before her wedding, Noga finds out that her
future husband has been kidnapped by a ruthless
criminal. Accompanied by her three closest
girlfriends she takes on the dangerous and actionfilled mission to rescue her loved one.
SYNOPSIS
In the morning of her wedding day Noga is filled
with doubts. Wouldn’t the act of marriage turn her
and Udi, her fiancé, to be a boring couple, like the
ones they often see around them?
Soon enough those worries vanish - when she finds out
that Udi has been kidnapped by a dangerous criminal
and that Udi’s ex-girlfriend, a manipulative and
mysterious beauty, is also involved!
Accompanied by her three closest girlfriends, who
were all infantry combat soldiers during their IDF
army service, she goes out to save her loved one.
Will Noga and her girlfriends succeed in freeing
Udi? Will Udi be able to break away from his long
lost love? And, finally, will they still want to say
the word “yes” to each other when the big moment
arrives?
TRIGGER
An amusing inversion of the theme “the prince saves
the princess”. This time the princess is coming to
save the prince - and she’s not coming alone…
Gal Ziv / mrgalziv@gmail.com
Gal Ziv
FILMMAKERS
Gal Ziv
A director and writer, his short films
Findher, RomanticA, and the recent Trees
have won international praise and awards.
He is currently working on Everglades, a
feature thriller that is currently on postproduction.
Daniela Zucker
Screenwriter; completed a BA degree in
comparative literature at the Tel-Aviv
University with honours; graduate of the Idit
Shchori Screenwriting School; Won the Sam
Spiegel’s short film competition; Recently
finished writing her first feature film, which
won a development grant from Keren Makor.
Piano Fingers
Feature film, drama, 90 min.
Yali Sobol
Moshe Ivgy
Sigal Rosh
Tel Aviv after the next war, Yoav and Hagit Kirsch,
a classical pianist and a video editor at a news
agency, try to find their way back to their previous
lives, in a reality where the rules of the game have
changed completely.
SYNOPSIS
Two months after a devastating missile war , Yoav and
Hagit Kirsch, a classical pianist and a video editor,
return to their apartment in the badly damaged
Tel Aviv. During the war, a state of emergency was
declared, and the control of the state was taken over
by a temporary emergency command. The new military
regime continues on after the war ends, becoming
permanent.
One day, Hagit, who works at a news agency, receives a
mysterious flash drive, which contains top classified
documents related to a case of severe corruption at
the government leadership; from this point onward,
she and Yoav are dragged into a violent turmoil of
events revolving the case. Together, they are forced
to face a new reality that threatens their entire
existence.
TRIGGER
The screenplay is based on the book ‘Piano Fingers’
by Yali Sobol. A thriller that takes place in Tel Aviv
in the near future, after the collapse of democracy
in Israel.
It examines human spirit and behavior at extreme
circumstances, in which human dignity, freedom,
sanity and existence are put at risk. A German
edition of the book was published on March 2014 to
great acclaim from the leading press.
Sigal Rosh / rosh_s@zahav.net.il
FILMMAKERS
Moshe Ivgy / Screenplay Writer, Director and
Producer
For the past three decades Moshe Ivgy is
considered to be among the most prominent
Israeli actors. Over the years, he has won
numerous awards and gained great acclaim for
his performances in films, television series
and the theatre. His activity as a prolific
film and theatre director includes the feature
film “And on the Third Day”, which he has also
written in 2011.
Yali Sobol / Screenplay Writer
An Israeli writer and musician. He is One of
Israel’s prominent singer songwriters, and
lead singer of Monica Sex, one of the country’s
leading rock band. his first novel, ‘Between
Apartments’, was published in 2004, followed
by the 2006 ‘Key Money’ which had become a
bestseller. Sobol’s third novel, ‘Piano Fingers’
was published in Israel in 2012. A German
edition of the book, published in 2014, was well
received with enthusiastic reviews.
Sigal Rosh / Producer
A producer and content manager for film and
television. Has produced and edited numerous
documentary series and films, working with
major international networks and international
productions. In the last five years, Rosh has
become a regular a lecturer at the Sam Spiegel
Film & Television School, Jerusalem.
The Sorrow of Young Worko
Feature film, Romantic Comedy, 90 min.
Esti Almo Wexler
Elad Wexler
Worko dresses up as a woman in order to escape the
underworld, but through his disguise as a woman he
comes to understand what “being a man” means.
SYNOPSIS
Worko’s life seems to be slipping through his
fingers. He is 35 years old, unemployed, and the
neighborhood loser, the butt of everyone’s mocking
gossip. He spends his days mostly writing subversive
rap songs. His life is turned upside down in the blink
of an eye, when he finds himself in circumstances
forcing him to assume the identity of Titi - a crude,
provocative Ethiopian girl - and join a feminine
empowerment group called Being a Woman. As fate
would have it, while disguised as a woman, he falls
madly in love with the woman of his dreams.
TRIGGER
The film deals with the manhood crisis so often
experienced by Ethiopian men attempting to become
part of Israeli society, but does so in a humorous
way.
Our aim is not only to entertain, but to stimulate
deeper thought about the changes which the Ethiopian
community in Israel has been undergoing, as part of
that community’s gradual passage from a traditional,
tribal society to a modern, Western one.
Elad Wexler / ABAYENESH PRODUCTIONS / eladwex@gmail.com
FILMMAKERS
Esti Almo Wexler / Scriptwriter and Director
Born in Ethiopia, immigrated to Israel at
the age of four. Studied photography at the
Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, and did
her master’s degree in cinema at Tel Aviv
University. Wrote and directed the short film
“Summer of ‘89” (2013) which was screen at the
Haifa Festival.
Elad Wexler / Producer
Studied in the department of Film and
Television at Tel Aviv University. Wrote and
directed the short drama My Dharamsala (2006).
Was the line producer of “Summer of ‘89”.
Together with Esti Almo, founded Abaynesh
Productions in 2012.
The Swamp
1990, After years of longing, Semion Kugan finally
emigrates from Russia to Israel only to discover
that in order to fulfil his pioneer dream he must pay
a heavy debt to the land.
SYNOPSIS
In the 1920’s a group of Russian pioneers dried a
swamp in the beautiful Jezrael valley in Israel.
70 years later, Semion Kugan and a group of Russian
immigrants are sent to live there not knowing that
the swamp and its horrific legacy were revived and
Semion will have to choose between his love for his
family and his love for the desired land.
TRIGGER
As an immigrant in Israel, I tried to explore this theme in
a variety of different genres since I began studying cinema.
I was never fully satisfied with the result, and I reached a
conclusion that only one genre can express this experience
fully - horror.
Feature film, drama, 90 min.
Dan Ronen
Evgeny Ruman
Naomi Levari
Saar Yogev
FILMMAKERS
Saar Yogev and Naomi Levari, producers, are
known for their intimate word method, tailor
made for each project and its unique needs.
Black Sheep Film Productions Ltd. specializes
in character driven features, creative
documentaries and TV scripted series, Black
Sheep Film Productions directs a sportlight
on the unseen and unheard voices of society.
Dan Ronen
Graduated with excellence from the Tel Aviv
University Film & Television Department,
majored in screen writing. Writes for various
television shows and develops two new feature
films.
Evgeny Ruman
Director of feature films “Igor & the cranes’
journey” (2012), an Israeli-German-Polish
co-production, and “Ruby Strangelove” (2014)
- an American production to be released later
this year in US. Currently finishing postproduction for his new feature film “The man
in the wall”.
Naomi Levari, Saar Yogev / BLACK SHEEP FILMS / saar@blacksheepfilms.com, naomi@blacksheepfilms.com
Through The Wall
Through The Wall
Feature film, drama, 90 min.
Rama Burshtein
Assaf Amir
To break through the wall, you must believe 100%
that it’s possible. With 99.9% you end up breaking
your skull.
SYNOPSIS
Michal is 32 years old. She became religious 12
years ago, and only now is she getting married. A
month before the wedding, while checking out the
catering for the event, the groom has a change of
heart and the wedding is called off. Michal feels
she’s unable to go back to ordinary life, to the usual
course of matchmaking. She feels this is the moment
to change something very basic in her personality.
A simple belief that God is good and sweet; that He
wants to give and is only waiting for her to wish
it. Michal goes on a month-long journey up to the
planned wedding day: “I have the venue, the dress, the
apartment; God can easily come up with my groom”
FILMMAKERS
Rama Burshtein graduated film studies in
the second class of the Sam Spiegel Film &
Television School. She became religious 20
years ago, is married, and a mother of four.
Rama wrote and directed the feature film Fill
the Void.
Assaf Amir has established Norma productions
in 1995. Norma productions specialises in
independent feature films and documentaries
and
produced
numerous
award-winning
productions, which were successfully sold
and received domestically and worldwide.
Among them “Broken Wings”, “Fill the void”
Assaf also serves as the chairman of the
Israeli Producers Association.
TRIGGER
I feel that what I personally lack most is a belief
in good and a defeat of desperation. To flex the
faith muscle, one must sometimes devote one’s soul.
To stand on the highest springboard, hold my nose,
and jump, even if I’m unsure the pool is filled with
water.
Assaf Amir, Tammy Cohen / NORMA PRODUCTIONS / assaf@norma.co.il, Tammy@norma.co.il
Trapped
Feature film, drama, 90 min.
Eti Tsicko
Eilon Ratzkovsky
The encounter with Nino, a Georgian foreign worker
who is accused of murder, Leads Marina, her lawyer,
to embark on a journey to Georgia. The journey will
become her own, forcing Marina to re-examine her
choices in life, facing her long forgotten Georgian
roots and an identity she can’t run away from.
SYNOPSIS
Marina escapes to her work as a public defender
lawyer in order to avoid her marriage to a man whom
she can’t fully commit herself to.
When Marina is appointed to defend Nino, a Georgian
foreign worker who killed her employer, she finds
herself emotionally engaged with Nino’s story, as
if resonating with her own. Coming from Georgian
origins herself, Marina has always refused to
accept her Georgian heritage and secluded herself
from her family and her roots. A strong unspoken
bond is being evoked by these two women, bringing
up in Marina things she had been trying to run away
from all her life. Trying to find answers in Nino’s
unfortunate past that might help in the court case,
Marina travels to Georgia. There, the journey will
become her own, forcing her to face her profound
inner conflict of identity and to examine her own
life and the choices she made.
TRIGGER
Growing up in a strict, traditional Georgian family,
I found myself always contemplating what it means
for me to be a woman, consequently rebelling against
these patriarchal origins, and choose a different
path then the one intended for me by my family.
Yochanan Kredo
FILMMAKERS
Eti Tsicko/ Screenwriter & Director
Graduate of the Tel Aviv University
Film Department. “Resen” (Dog Leash), her
graduation short Film was selected to the
Cinefondation official Competition of Cannes
Film Festival in 2012. In 2013, participated
in “Berlin 24/7 project”- 3 months residency
in Berlin, funded by The Israeli Film Fund
& Brandenburg Film Fund, Germany- towards
the development of her debut feature Film
“Trapped” (working title).
Filmography:“Daswarilli” (Stained) 2009 (21
min), “Audition” 2010 (15 min), “Dog Leash”
2012 (26 min)
Eilon Ratzkovsky, Yochanan Kredo / Producers,
July August Productions
July August is an independent company
specializing in feature films and television
productions. Among its credit THE BAND’S
VISIT (2007), winner of 3 awards at the Cannes
Film Festival, 54 international prizes,
SEVEN DAYS (2008) opening film at the Semaine
de la Critique, THE CHAMPGAGNE SPY (2007)
Best Documentary Israeli Academy Awards,
nominated for the European Film Academy
Awards 2007 and more.
Eilon Ratzkovsky, Yochanan Kredo / JULY AUGUST / eilon@jap.co.il, yochanan@jap.co.il
What Happeed in Poland
Feature film, Coming-of-age, 90 min.
Assaf Machnes
Assaf Amir
“I’m not sure what I’ve learned in this journey, but
one thing is certain – I’ll never forget what happened
in Poland”
SYNOPSIS
17-year-old Roy goes on a school trip to Poland,
visiting memorials and Nazi camps. However, for Roy
and his friends, Holocaust remembrance is not the
only focus of the journey.
The teenagers’ attempts to overcome fears and find
love in such a dark environment create an ambiguous
story, constantly shifting from the tragic to the
entertaining. When Roy meets Anna, a beautiful
German girl, the stakes become much higher.
TRIGGER
The film is based on my experience and the experiences
of thousands of Israeli teenagers who visit Poland
on school delegations. I want to take my audience
through the intensity of such a journey.
FILMMAKERS
Assaf Amir / Producer, Norma Production
Assaf Amir has established Norma productions
in 1995. Norma productions specialises in
independent feature films and documentaries
and
produced
numerous
award-winning
productions, which were successfully sold
and received domestically and worldwide.
Among them BROKEN WINGS, FILL THE VOID.
Assaf also serves as the chairman of the
Israeli Producers Association.
Assaf Machnes / Writer Director
WHAT HAPPENED IN POLAND is based on Assaf’s
graduation film, which was selected for more
than 80 film festivals and won 8 awards. Assaf
received a development grant from the Israeli
film fund.
Assaf Amir, Tammy Cohen / NORMA PRODUCTIONS / assaf@norma.co.il, tammy@norma.co.il
Winter in Jerusalem
Feature film, drama, 90 min.
Shady Srour
It is a film about Elias, 36, pacifist, who gets lost
in his collapsing world - Jerusalem, where blood
overcomes holiness, until he meets a Frenchwoman,
Theresa, from another place of pilgrimage, Lourdes.
SYNOPSIS
Elias, 36, a peace loving man, struggles with his
father, to save the family hotel that is located on
the border between East and West Jerusalem, intended
for pilgrims only. His brother, a political activist
alienates them. In Lourdes, France, while convincing
pilgrims to take the trip to Jerusalem, Elias falls
in love with Theresa, 23, who resembles the Saint of
Lourdes. They marry in Jerusalem, waiting for the
pilgrims, and for a moment it seems that life is fine. A
terrorist attack creates a riot and keeps the pilgrims
of Lourdes away from Jerusalem and the hotel. The
brother goes underground, Elias betrays Theresa and
she is planning to leave but she can’t divorce since
they are Catholic. Elias chooses celibacy in order to
save his marriage; he gets into strike for food. Theresa
forgives him only after he faces her test of conquering
his carnal desires. Now they both know that what God
put together they don’t have the right to separate.
TRIGGER
A year and a half ago I was the head of Palestinian
directors in the documentary film “Jerusalem
24 hours” (Zeroone Productions) filmed in East
Jerusalem. I asked myself how love could survive in
such a tense and politically strained place, yet so
beautiful and sacred as Jerusalem, and here is the
result, a love story with the impossible political
layers in the background.
Shady Srour / CINEMA VIRGIN / cinemavirgin@gmail.com
FILMMAKERS
Shady Srour / Screenwriter / Director /
Producer / Actor, holding BA in Acting from
Tel Aviv University, MFA in Film from Academy
of Art University of San Francisco, lately
directed a comedy series for Channel 33
(IBA), and head of directors in 24 Jerusalem
Project (ARTE), currently in post-production
of “Don Juan of Galilee”, a romantic comedy,
his production company Cinema Virgin has
few other projects in different stages of
production.
Yaga is a Witch
Feature film, drama, 90 min.
Gan De Langa
Gal Greenspan
For many years, Yaga the witch has been terrorizing
the royal family, as witches are obliged to do. But
when the prince falls in love with her, her world is
turned upside down. For the first time in her life,
Yaga is forced to deal with love, and to face her own
self.
SYNOPSIS
Yaga is a terrible witch. For generations she has
been terrorizing loving royal couples, but one day
something goes wrong. The prince she challenges is
surprisingly content with the change in his wedding
plan, and takes himself a long vacation in the woods.
The longer he stays in Yaga’s territory, the more
curious he becomes about her.
When she starts falling in love with him too, she
does everything she can to change herself in order
to become worthy of his love: she ties her nose down,
paints the walls of her house, and throws all of her
beloved magical belongings out to the yard. She does
all this without realizing that the prince loves her
just the way she is.
FILMMAKERS
Gan De Langa / Director and Screenwriter
Graduated with honors from the Sam Spiegel
Film and Television School in Jerusalem. Among her credits, her Debut film, FRACTURE,
(first prize Short Film Festival Kyoto Japan,
Children’s Film Festival Jerusalem), BABGA
(Cinefondation, Cannes Film Festival 2003,
Critics Forum Award, Honorable Mention
Jerusalem Film Festival).
Gal Greenspan / Producer, Green Productions
In 2009 Greenspan joined Roi Kurland, and
together they established Green Productions
- a film production company dedicated to
the creation of quality films by promising
young Israeli writers/directors. Among its
credits: YOUTH, by Tom Shoval (Berlin 2013,
Best Film Award Jerusalem FF 2013), ORANGE
PEOPLE by Hanna Azoulay Hasfari (Haifa FF
2012, Jury Award Rehovot FF 2013).
TRIGGER
Yaga is a Witch is a story about the power of selfimage, and its potential for destruction.
I wrote this story when I fell in love for the first
time, and found myself hating myself. Like Yaga the
Witch, I was trying to become something I was not, as
part of my attempts at being worthy of love.
The story appeals to both children and adults, and
speaks about the deep fear we have from our own
authentic personality, one that if we shall learn to
accept – we will realize we are worthy of love.
Gal Greenspan / GREEN PRODUCTIONS / gal@greenproductions.co.il
The Story of a Certain Sign
Feature film, Black Comedy, 100 min.
Kinga Krzeminsk
Grzegorz Jaroszuk
Agnieszka Kurzydlo
A guest pitch from Poland seeking an Israeli CoProducer.
A black comedy inspired by true events.
SYNOPSIS
“The Story of a Certain Sign” is a black comedy
inspired by true events; robbery of “Arbeit Macht Frei”
sign from above the KL Auschwitz gate - the largest
Holocaust museum in the world. In our film directors
from two Holocaust Museums in Israel and the US come
to Poland to former concentration camp to rent for
their exhibitions the iconic sign “ARBEIT MACHT FREI”
that hangs above the gate
Unfortunately, on the night after their arrival
the sign is being stolen which has an effect of a
Snowball…KL Auschwitz it’s a heritage and testimony
of most horrible events in the history of mankind
one that can’t be forgotten. Now it is also a museum.
Place, which reinterprets the History, which provides
meaning to facts that occurred 70 years ago.
TRIGGER
We think, this project is a perfect material for an
international coproduction, because this process
of “stealing, manipulating history” happens
everywhere. We would like to invite co-producers
and artists from Israel and Germany to cooperate.
Holocaust is a very serious and very common topic in
art and cinema, but rarely is perceived from modern,
today’s perspective. That’s why we would like to
make this film. To draw attention to the meaning of
Holocaust today and how it is being used as a brand
today. And it shouldn’t. Never.
Dagmara Piasecka / office@md4.eu, md4@md4.eu
FILMMAKERS
Kinga Krzeminsk / Screenplay / Writer /
Script-doctor / Translator
Kinga worked for HBO in Poland and for MD4, she
wrote “They Chased Me Through Arizona”dir.
Matthias Huser (premiere at Locarno Film
Festival 2014).
Grzegorz Jaroszuk / Director, graduate of the
Polish Film School in Lodz, his graduate
film “Frozen Stories” received numerous
awards. His full length feature film “Kebab &
Horoscope” premierred at Karlovi Vary in the
East of West Competition.
Agnieszka Kurzydlo / Producer, MD4 Production
Company
MD4 (MENTAL DISORDER 4) FILM PRODUCTION
Mental Disorder 4 was established by friends,
who, for the last years, had been cooperating
with Zentropa International Poland. The main
goal of MD4 is to work with young filmmakers
and to create space for them in Poland and in
the international film market.
Our Special thanks and appreciation to:
Polish Film Institute in Warsaw
Agnieszka Odorowicz, director
Joanna Wendorff, International affairs
Israel Film Fund, Katriel Schory, David Lipkind, Haya
Natovici
Makor Foundation, Gidoen Ganani, Niva Mandelblit
Polish Institute in Tel Aviv
Krzyztof Kopytko, director
Shimrit Gil, cultural programs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Vered Heller
Israel Export and International Co-operation Institute
Mira Geshel
Scriptwriters Guild of Israel, Amit Leor, Leor Tamam,
Jonathan Shkedi
Israel Producers Association, Assaf Amir, Ofra Eiber
Kibbutzim College, Prof. Zipi Libman, Dr. Rivka
Wadmany, Meir Reuveni, Ela Baur
Aaron Geva, Ron Weinberg, HOT Cable TV
The Post Republic, Germany
David Steinberger, Rebekka Garrido, Michael Reuter
G and H Media, Stephen Greenwald
Wagner College, Presiddent Richard Gurasci
Wagner College, Paula Landry
Israel Film Center, Isaac Zablocki, Ravit Turjeman
Executive Board Consulting International,
Peter Sederowsky
Hagai Levy, Kren Margalit, Noah Stollman, Ruta Kupfer
Ken Aguado, Standard Film Group, USA
Julia Gray, Without Borders, Israel
Charlotte Sieling
Caroline Decroix, Cross Video Days, France
Simon Bouisson, Photosim, France
ALL Filmmakers, Jury, and Participants
Haifa Film Festival
Chairman, Board of Directors, Ethos, Danny Nishlis
Artistic Director: Pnina Blayer
Producer Haifa Film Festival: Sharon Lugassy
Accounting Manager: Irena Waisbach
Hospitality Director: Delphine Arcas
Haifa Conventions Bureau: Neta Drori Wilf
Haifa Cinematheque: Avishai Kfir
Special events: Naama Altshuler
Production Coordinator: Moran Peled
Project Coordinator: Christina Zamarovsky
Program Coordinator: Amalia Rosen
Israel Competition: Tali Dagan
Programer: Yaron Shamir
Publicity: Sharon Volman Ovadia
Public Relations: Dorit Hordi, Hadas Shapira
Moderator: Yaron Seelig
Training Workshop: Ken Aguado, Julie Gray
Selection Committee Haifa Pitching Conference:
Veronica Kedar, Yariv Mozer, Etay Kaplinsky, Yaron Seeling
Thank you to Nisim Levy and Patty Hochman
Galaxy Travel: Elina Hakim
Catalogue Editor: Ruth Lev Ari
Graphic Design: Nurit Hershkovitz
Web Design: Jonathan Lev Ari
Trailer Editor: Hila Haramati
Editing Studio: Opus Productions
Contact us at:
haifaourstory@gmail.com
Ruth Lev Ari, director
Gitit Wainer, producer
30th Haifa International Film Festival
142 Hanassi Ave., Haifa 34633 ISRAEL
Tel 972-4-8353548