Documentary film festival returns to the north after COVID break
DocAviv Galilee, the northern region’s documentary film festival, returns to Ma’alot-Tarshiha theaters with its 13th edition, from November 3-6.
“It’s just important,” said festival director Galia Bador. “We do it no matter what. If not by the door, then by the window.
Last year, the annual festival was screened online, with the pandemic preventing in-person screenings. This year, five films will be screened digitally for those who prefer to stay away from the crowds, but most of the festival’s events will take place indoors and in person.
A total of 31 local and international documentaries are included in the festival, some of which have been screened at DocAviv in Tel Aviv as well as at the Jerusalem and Haifa film festivals.
There are many films related to the environment and nature, a fair amount of films, tours and cooking films that will be screened in the presence of their directors.
“We’re always looking for different things,” Bador said. “We want the latest and greatest films so that northern moviegoers don’t miss them. This means original Israeli films that have yet to be screened, and all Israeli films and documentaries that are meaningful to the local community.
The festival opens with its usual premiere which celebrates local talent, Project Knafayim (Wings). The opening event presents four films by filmmakers Ma’alot Tarshiha, made at the DocAviv Galilee and Apter Barrer Art Center filmmaking workshop and supported by the Rabinovich Foundation. The workshop is supervised by filmmakers Yael Kipper and Ronen Zaretzky.
“Born to Be Free”, an event featuring films by and about disabled people, will be screened at the Ma’arag Center in Kfar Vradim.
The festival will also host a seminar for film students, organized in partnership with the Israel Documentary Filmmakers Forum, as well as film screenings for students in Ma’alot-Tarshiha schools, from elementary to high school.
