The final pitching event of the 14th edition of the Sam Spiegel International Film Lab was held as part of the international networking events at The Venice Production Bridge.
10 projects were pitched in front of an international jury including Sarah Duve-Schmid – CEO Film Funding and Corporate Representative, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, Christian J. Vesper - Film and Television Executive and Gabor Greiner - Head of Acquisitions, Films Boutique, who awarded prizes in the amount of $70,000.

The Sam Spiegel International Film Lab $50,000 Grand Prize, donated by the Beracha Foundation was awarded to Leaving Gur by Brachi Haisherik. Producer - Tammy Cohen.
The jury statement read: “A bold and unexpected vision of sexuality and intimacy, this film explores curiosity, the desire to break free, and the strength it takes to defy a community's expectations and follow one’s own path. Set in a world unknown to us, it's a love story that feels both strange and deeply human”.

The Sam Spiegel International Film Lab Emerging Filmmaker Award in the amount of $20,000 was granted to Horse Parade by Luciana Vieira (Director) and Gabriela Matarazzo (Writer), Producer- Claudia Chakmati.
The jury statement read: “A fresh coming-of-age story set in a world rarely seen through a female gaze. The film enters a distinctly masculine universe and turns it on its head through the eyes of a young woman finding her voice, power, and place within it.”

A Special Recognition to a tough, warm and funny project that explores the definition of family and commitment was presented to the "Don't Forget Flora" by Yotam Knispel, produced by Harel Ben Melech.

Dana Blankstein Cohen, executive director of the Sam Spiegel Film and Television Institute: “We are deeply grateful to the Venice Film Festival for hosting the Lab’s culmination event. At Sam Spiegel, we believe that in times of war and division, we must not remain on the sidelines, but act: protect artistic freedom, and ensure cinematic voices are heard. This year’s Film Lab reminds us of cinema’s power to make indifference more difficult. Peace cannot simply be waited for — we must seek it and pursue it. Our thanks to the Beracha Foundation, the Edmond de Rothschild Foundation, and the Sam Spiegel family for their trust and continued support and to Mor Eldar, Lab director.”

Mor Eldar, Director of the Sam Spiegel Labs adds: "After around 10 months of development, 10 projects from our Film Lab are set to connect with the global film industry at one of the world's top three film festivals. I am immensely proud of our participating filmmakers and certain that their hard work will yield great success, following in the footsteps of our past alumni who continue to excel year after year."