It’s become a tradition. This is the seventh year Docaviv Galilee Documentary Film Festival takes place in Ma’alot-Tarshiha. The festival lasts five days, October 27-31, 2015, in four venues around the city: at the Cultural Center; at Tarshiha’s Orthodox Church Club; and at the Apter Barrer Arts center Gallery.
Docaviv Galilee was created with the aim of advancing the documentary cinema field throughout Israel, and has since created opportunities for unique meetings between filmmakers and audiences, provided a stage for local cinematic work, held special activities and events for youthseminar and study days for youth and cinephiles, performances, workshops, children’s activities and more.
The festival has encouraged the development of dialog between diverse local communities within the Galilee and the northern region of Israel, and between members of these communities and documentary filmmaking professionals. Through its contents and its activities, it raises pertinent social and cultural issues and opens them for discussion. Throughout the festival, Unmediated meetings take place between documentary filmmakers and an ever-increasing audience. Docaviv Galilee has become an integral part of the region’s yearly cultural events, and yet it represents only a part of Docaviv organization’s achievements. Apart from Docaviv Galilee, Docaviv also produces the Tel Aviv International Documentary Film Festival, Docaviv Negev held in Yeruham, and additional documentary film screening programs throughout the year and around the country.
Docaviv Galilee is a Docaviv initiative, created in cooperation with Ma’alot-Tarshiha Municipality.
Festival highlights include:
Opening ceremony and screening of the film “Twilight of a Life”, followed by a meeting with director Sylvain Biegeleisen, who will also perform with his guitar songs by Jacques Brel.
Actor and creator Kobi Faraj will meet with school-age pupils.
A meet with actors Hisham Sulliman and Itzik Cohen, who play lead roles in Israeli television thriller series, “Fauda”.
YouMake Remake Kids – Renana Raz leads an active video/movement workshop for children.
Festive opening of exhibition by artists Yosl and Audrey Bergner, showcasing works created as part of their collaboration with theater director and playwright Nissim Aloni. Followed by a screening of “Once Upon a Time There was a King”, on the creative life of the late Aloni.
Films focusing on artists and art: “Dorothea Lange: Grab a Hunk of Lightening”, “Hockney”, “Mr. Gaga” – Tomer Heymann’s film on internationally acclaimed choreograph Ohad Naharin, “Seymour: An Introduction”, “Miss (Rachel) Bluwstein”, “Arab Movie”, Landfill Harminic”.
Premiere screenings of films created by local and regional filmmakers, graduates of the fourth “Wings” filmmaking workshop at the Apter Barrer Arts center Gallery.
Seminar Day for students and the general public, hosted by film critic and Yair Raveh, along with producer Arik Bernstein. Includes a screening of Israeli Film Academy Award winner “Wedding Doll” by Nitzan Gilady, followed by a meeting with the director.
Comics workshop for kids (ages 6-12) – creative film-inspired comics activity and superhero-themed flip book making.
Performance of liturgical poems that compose “Yagel Yaakov”, performed by “Kol Yotzer Culture Lab”, following a screening of “A Song of Loves – R. David Buzaglo” about the 20th century liturgical poet.
On its closing evening, the Festival hosts Moroccan director Kamal Hachkar for a screening of his film, “Tinghir – Jerusalem, Echoes from the Mellah”, about the peaceful and neighborly coexistence of Jews and Muslims in a small Moroccan village over many centuries. The screening will be followed by a performance of “Huwa Jani“ by singer-songwriter Neta Elkayam, accompanied by Amit Chai Cohen, Elad Levy, Shiko Bachar and Gal Maestro.
During the festival, Docaviv cooperates with Western Galilee Now to organize guided tours to nearby sites, including the town of Peki’in and the communal, eco-minded village, Klil. Culinary workshops will also take place (dependant on minimal number of participants who register in advance).
Docaviv Artistic Director, Sinai Abt, invites the public to the festival: “We’ve made an effort to give the films context, accompany them with conversation and dialog, with performances, exhibitions, with points of meeting meant to be memorable and thought provoking . For this festival, we selected over 30 of the finest documentary films from Israel and abroad. Children’s events and screenings will also take place, and filmmakers will present their as-yet-unfinished documentaries, inviting the public to give input and ask questions. Master workshops will be given for those creating in the field, and films made by local artists who have been mentored by professionals over the past year will be screened. We are very happy to expand our activities this year not only in Maalot but in Tarshiha too.”
Galia Bador, Festival Director: “Almost without noticing, we find ourselves approaching the seventh festival taking place in the Galilee, and we’re proud to see Docaviv’s vision realized, bringing the power and wonder of documentary films and filmmaking to Israel’s periphery. We’re seeing a significant rise in the number of participants who take part in the festival, joining us from different parts of the country to enjoy the festival’s offerings and take in the wonderful vistas and clear Galilee air. As has been over past years, we expect to see a record number of visitors at Docaviv Galilee 2015.”
Ma’alot-Tarshiha Mayor, Slomo Bohbot: “I’m proud and happy that the city of Ma’alot-Tarshiha is hosting Docaviv Galilee Festival for the seventh time this year, and I know our residents enjoy taking part in the important art of cinematic filmmaking. I recommend it wholeheartedly: Come to Israel’s northern region, enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Galilee, and join us in the cultural and cinematic celebration that is Docaviv Galilee.”
As Docaviv Galilee is more focused towards local audience, the full festival program is published in Hebrew. However, many films are English-speaking, and some are presented with English subtitles. See the Festival’s website (in Hebrew) here.
Tickets:
Single ticket for a film/event/workshop: 20 ILS
Ma’alot-Tarshiha Heichal Hatarbut members and residents of Eshkol Galil Ma’aravi: 1+1
Students and IDF soldiers: Free entrance
Additional information: +972(4)957-3050