Karin Rywkind Segal, Docaviv’s artistic director for the past eight years, has decided to step down this year. Karin has been responsible for the creative direction of the annual festival in Tel Aviv, as well as the two regional festivals, Docaviv Galilee and Docaviv Negev, from 2017 to 2024.
As artistic director, Karin has contributed to Docaviv’s standing as a world-leading festival and worked towards Docaviv becoming an Academy Award-qualifying festival.
During her tenure, the number of film competitions at the festival doubled, new labs were opened to help filmmakers gain international exposure, and collaborations with curators and a range of arts and culture organizations and institutions were established. Under Karin’s management, the festival hosted tributes to master filmmakers from around the world and welcomed dozens of guest filmmakers, including Gianfranco Rosi, Claire Simon, Vitalij Manskij, João Moreira Salles, Kazuo Hara, Yuri Ancarani, Julie Cohen, Betsy West, and others.
“Docaviv, my workplace of 13 years, is a cultural institution unlike any other in the country. It is dear to my heart, and I have given it my all. Screening and supporting free, independent, and superb documentary cinema, working with talented filmmakers, both newcomers and experienced, and interacting with audiences as they discovered the festival’s program—I have found immense satisfaction in all these. This year’s festival, recently concluded, was a great success against all odds. I am glad that at this difficult time, my last festival as artistic director ended up being so meaningful.”
Docaviv Chairman Rami Shalmor:
“Karin Rywkind Segal, who has been the artistic director of Docaviv Festival for the past eight years, deserves deep appreciation and a huge thanks.
Appreciation—for the festival’s high standing in Israel and globally. And thanks—for her total commitment, dedication, and perseverance. Karin possesses the unique ability to craft superbly rich and exciting artistic programs. She is the one who brought large audiences to the Cinematheque, thereby laying a solid foundation for Docaviv’s stellar reputation in Israel and worldwide.”
Docaviv Director Limor Aharonovich:
“Thanks to her professionalism, experience, and expertise, Karin has successfully created spectacularly rich programs for Docaviv, on par with the world’s leading film festivals.
In our time working together, I got to know her as a determined manager who has earned the respect of her peers in Israel and worldwide.
Karin’s activist style of creative direction has always prioritized creative freedom and spotlighting social injustices in Israel and worldwide. Throughout her time at Docaviv, she has advised and supported both novice and experienced filmmakers.
We will miss her very much, and perhaps we will meet in other contexts. I wish her success on her new path.”
The festival is held annually during May at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque and various other venues in Tel Aviv. Drawing a crowd of over 50,000 attendees each year, the festival welcomes a prestigious lineup of filmmakers and industry professionals from Israel and abroad.