The Cinema South International Film Festival, founded by Sapir College's School of Audio and Visual Arts operating in collaboration with the Sderot Municipality, Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council and Cellcom, opened this week at the Sderot Cinematheque. 

This past Sunday (17/10), the Festival opened with a special ceremony, naming the street adjacent to the Sderot Cinematheque after the actress and filmmaker Ronit Elkabetz. Her brother, the well-known filmmaker and Sapir lecturer, Shlomi Elkabetz, spoke movingly about his sister, growing up in Israel's south and how the Sderot Cinematheque had become his sisters second home, screening her movies. Prof. Sami Shalom Chetrit, Dean of the School of Audio and Visual Arts and Festival Director said, "Ronit always came to us, to this small southern city after Paris, New York and the red carpets of Cannes.  Naming this street, in this location, recognizes Ronit's huge contribution to Israeli cinema in general and southern cinema in particular".

Following the opening ceremony, Shlomi Elkabetz screened his new film Black Notebooks.  At Cinema South, filmmakers present their productions and discuss them with the audience after screening. Shlomi and the audience engaged in a meaningful discussion about the issues raised in this film which continues his exploration of family fractures, uprooting and emancipation.

The Cinema South International Film Festival will close on Thursday (21/10) with the Award Ceremony for the School of Audio and Visual Arts' alumni productions.

Between the opening and closing events, Israeli and international films will be shown, spotlighting Cypriot Cinema.  One of our featured guest artists is Oscar winning animator Chris Landreth, from Canada will screen his films and teach his world renowned Master Class for Sapir students. Cinema South will also have a TV pitching event with industry experts. This year, Cinema South will be featuring Israeli prizewinning filmmaker and animator Ari Folman, who will screen his productions and answer questions about his films including Waltz with Bashir and his new film Where is Anne Frank.

Prof. Shai Feldman, President Sapir College, Shlomi Elkabetz, Filmmaker, Alon Davidi, Mayor Sderot, Prof. Sami Shalom Chetrit, Dean School of Audio and Visual Arts

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