Winners of the "New Cinema South" Competition:
Jury Members: Ari Folman - Head of the jury, Aviv Ben Shloush, Ayelet Menahemi, Joy Rieger, Lee Dror, Tully Chen,Thomas Pibarot, Andre Bendocchi - Alves, Roiy Nitzan, Daniella Nowitz, Oron Shamir, Sapir Matityahu, Michael Gurevich, Micha Emet.

Best Fiction Film Award in memory of Mika Eilon courtesy of Mika Eilon's family - 6,000 NIS was awarded to "Junam" by the director Shani Cohen and "Tshuva" by the director Afek Testa Launer.
From the Jury's reasoning for the film "Junam": "For exceptionally mature directorial work, fully developed, well-rounded and remarkably emotional character design both in screenplay and in direction and acting guidance. For an outstanding performance by the lead actress. A film for the pantheon."
From the Jury's reasoning for the film "Tshuva": "For a groundbreaking, soul-wounding film, with wonderful performances by both actors. For strong artistic expression and perfect use of cinematic language, for being a rare film in the student landscape."

Best Documentary Film Award courtesy of the Ministry of Culture and Sports - The Israeli Film Council - 6,000 NIS was awarded to "Piece of me" by the director Amit Goldman.
From the Jury's reasoning: "For a brave, original, humor-filled exposure with surprising cinematic expression, featuring a captivating and remarkably honest lead protagonist."

Best Animation Award courtesy of the Ministry of Culture and Sports - The Israeli Film Council - 6,000 NIS was awarded to "Ma'avak" by the directors Yoav Amir and Vika Rehelis.
From the Jury's reasoning: "For an animated language that brings different audiences closer to a character from a distant era. A language that manages to remain relevant in its dilemmas even in the present, and for impressive effects animation and coherent design."

Best TV Pilot Award courtesy of the Ministry of Culture and Sports - The Israeli Film Council - 6,000 NIS was awarded to "30 And Trying" by the director Noa Elisha.
From the Jury's reasoning: "For the ability to create through humorous writing a multi-faceted heroine who excellently performs and captivates on screen alongside all the supporting characters around her."

Best Web Series Award courtesy of the Ministry of Culture and Sports - The Israeli Film Council - 6,000 NIS was awarded to "Unpleasantly Gal" by the directors Noy Naim and Tom Peleg.
Jury's reasoning: "In a vaudeville atmosphere, a convincing ensemble of characters is created, on the border of grotesque-comic, led by an actress-writer-director with extraordinary talent."

Production Award courtesy of the Ministry of Culture and Sports - The Israeli Film Council - 3,000 NIS was awarded to "Tshuva" for the work of Afek Testa Launer.
From the Jury's reasoning: "For the ability to create a multi-layered cinematic world, diverse and beautiful locations, which contributed greatly to creating a groundbreaking film that exists in a completely autonomous world."

Editing Award courtesy of the Ministry of Culture and Sports - The Israeli Film Council - 3,000 NIS was awarded to "More Oxygen Please" for the work of Shani Beradt.
From the Jury's reasoning: "For the special relationship between the film's two protagonists that reaches an exceptionally funny culmination, thanks to perfect editing rhythm."

Cinematography Award courtesy of the Ministry of Culture and Sports - The Israeli Film Council - 3,000 NIS was awarded to "Unanswered Calls" for the work of Ella Dagan.
From the Jury's reasoning: "For abstract cinematography that caresses urban landscapes, supports the voice-over and leads a journey to its tragic end."

Original Score Award courtesy of the Ministry of Culture and Sports - The Israeli Film Council - 3,000 NIS was awarded to Elitzur Vardi for his work on "Coffee Break".
From the Jury's reasoning: "For his unique ability to create a soundtrack that is an active and audacious character in the film. The music emphasizes the absurdity and ugliness in overly meticulous commercial productions, without trying to polish or pander to the plot. The choice to highlight musical imperfections creates a calculated experience of discomfort and absurdity, making the soundtrack an inseparable part of the message and connecting the viewer to the film's world in a direct, sharp, and blunt manner."

Sound Design Award in memory of Lior Waitzman courtesy of Sderot Cinematheque - 3,000 NIS was awarded to Matan Margolin and Yarin Abu Hamad for their work on "Junam".
From the Jury's reasoning: "The soundtrack brings us as viewers into both the internal world and the external world surrounding the characters, and describes the alienated environment of the film's protagonist. It's evident that the sound editors considered how the soundtrack would be a critical factor in editing and describing the characters' world from an emotional perspective."

Best Actor/Actress Award courtesy of the Ministry of Culture and Sports - The Israeli Film Council - 3,000 NIS was awarded to Sunny Shidlo for her role in "Junam".
From the Jury's reasoning: "For a precise and diverse acting performance and a phenomenal ability to express emotion that makes the protagonist's character in the film unforgettable. A film that is deeply etched in the heart and will remain so for many years to come."

Art Direction Award courtesy of the Ministry of Culture and Sports - The Israeli Film Council - 3,000 NIS was awarded to Noa Globerman for her work on "Junam".
From the Jury's reasoning: "For restrained and precise artistic design that emphasizes the atmosphere in which the film's protagonist exists in a play of distance and proximity. For a moment of absence and light in the amusement park scene, which enriches the nocturnal sequence."

Screenplay Award courtesy of the Screenwriters Guild - 3,000 NIS was awarded to Or Ilan-Cohen for her work on "Golden mean".
From the Jury's reasoning: "For an exceptionally impressive writing ability in a dialogue that takes place in a single, confined location. For the ability to create atmosphere and tension through pauses and glances alone, for the ability to give meticulous meaning to each and every word and to translate all of these into precise direction that brings out the best in both actors."

Honorable Mentions:
Honorable Mention for Cinematography
ACT Membership for One Year
"Magical Chairs" for the work of Nitsan Grunewald Natan
Jury's Reasoning: "The camera is present in the theater studio without interference and with empathetic attention to the voices and fascinating faces of the workshop participants."

Honorable Mention for Editing
Editors Guild Membership for One Year
"Bedtime story" for the work of Asaf Shavit
Jury's Reasoning: "Through impressive editing transitions between times and filming spaces, the editing leads a surrealistic line that supports the narrative line."

Honorable Mention for Art Direction
Professional Guidance from ACT
"Ma'avak" for the work of Yoav Amir and Vika Rehelis
Jury's Reasoning: "For creating a convincing world and coherent, complete design that reconstructs an imaginary biblical period with all its clothing items, architecture, and character design."

Honorable Mention for Sound Design
Editors Guild Membership for One Year
"Reshimo" for the work of Dany Zarnitsky
Jury's Reasoning: "In the film 'Reshimo', the sound plays the role of an additional character. It complements the plot on an emotional level, anticipates on-screen events, and adds another dramatic layer. The soundtrack serves the story organically and successfully stimulates the viewers' imagination."

Honorable Mention for Music
"At The End Of The Orange Trails" for the work of Dany Zarnitsky
Jury's reasoning: "The music in the film successfully combines horrific content with a rough character with delicate textures, adding hidden emotional depth and becoming another dimension within the film. The music enhances the viewing experience and serves the horror aspect while allowing the viewer to experience the film physically. Thus, the music becomes a central factor in conveying hidden emotions and building intriguing and complex tension."

"Sparks" Competition Winners:
Three prizes were awarded to films, each worth 2,500 NIS courtesy of the Farhi family.
Jury: The family of actress Ruth Farhi z"l.

"In Her Body" by the director Reut Hamami
"Easily Forgotten" by the director Yuval Kachlon 
"The Secret Glowing in the Dark" by the director Ella Dagan

Modi Bar-On TV and Web Series Pitching Winners:
Jury: Dganit Atias Gigi, Tomer Brand, Yuval Horowitz.

Shmuel Shechter won with the project "Self Service" - 5000 NIS grant from Keshet.
Nir Galanti won with the project "Yanir and Ido" - Consulting grant from Yes.
Maayan Nisani won with the project "Get Wet" - 10 hours of consulting from Kan's Digital Division.

Cinema South Documentary Pitching Winners:
Jury: Inbal Petel, Roni Abulafia, Ziv Nave, Zvi Landsman.

First Prize of 30,000 NIS from Gesher Multicultural Film Fund and the Broadcasting Corporation was awarded to:
"Who Looks Out For Itai?" by the director Bar Misochnik. Institution: Minshar for Art.
Jury's reasoning: "In intimate and brave documentation, the director manages to tell a moving story dealing with an insufficiently addressed subject of coping with depression and the consequences of undiagnosed autism. Distant brother and sister and a family in
crisis embark on a journey of discovery with the help of the camera until an optimistic ending that includes healing and mending."

Second Prize of 20,000 NIS from Gesher Multicultural Film Fund and the Broadcasting Corporation was awarded to:
"Wildness" by the director Hila Paz. Institution: Sam Spiegel.
Jury's reasoning: "With a sure hand and cinematic vision, the director manages to tell a story that is seemingly small and trivial but becomes a touching cinematic poem under her hands. This is an observant film that manages with minimal means to shine a spotlight on the less told parts of the era we live in."

Honorable Mention for the project "Letters to the Homeland" by director Anna Moshkin. Institution: Tel Aviv University.
Jury's reasoning: "In a stylized cinematic language, with clear and precise choices based on letter exchange, the director tells a story about immigration, its costs and pains, which echo conflicts that occupy many in Israeli society these very days."

"Fata Morgana" Project Pitching Winners:
A joint animation project of "Negev Cinema Fund" and "Gesher Multicultural Film Fund" in partnership with Cinema South Festival and Animation Professions Guild.
Three production grants were awarded, each worth 100,000 NIS, along with professional guidance throughout the creation process.
Jury: Dudu Shalita, Yonatan Hashiloni, Mor Israeli.

"Until When?" by the directors Ido Maymon and Idan Gilboa
Jury's reasoning: "The creators try to deal with an extreme traumatic emotional state while harnessing the entire surrounding world for this purpose. The creators are ready to deal with new means of graphic expression while being careful of the dangers involved."

"When You Die" by the director Dor Kaplan
Jury's reasoning: "The creator offers a dark look wrapped in black humor at existence, but from that emerges a spark of hope and choice in life. With the help of a naive and simple animation style, the dealing with life and death receives a special interpretation."

"Let's Solve This Once and For All" by the directors Shalev Ben Shabbat and Michael Yaakov
Jury's reasoning: "A unique and bold perspective on a complex and challenging subject. With a confident hand, the creators draw an invitation to a game that gives expression to different views prevalent in society, while using the image of a chess game that constitutes a struggle between the two sides."