ALL LABS' NEWS "The Sea" wins 5 awards, including Best Film, at the Israeli Academy Award As part of the Ophir Israeli Academy Awards 2025, that took place last week, "The Sea" - written and directed by Shai Carmeli Pollack and developed at the Lab's 5th Edition - won 5 awards, including Best Film and Best Script. The film will represent Israel at the Oscar Academy Awards. "Dead Language" by Mihal Brezis and Oded Binnun, developed at the Lab's 4th Edition, won Best Art Direction Award. Photo: Shai Carmeli Pollack, courtesy of Ophir Awards 25.9.25 The 13th Edition of the Sam Spiegel International Film Lab Concludes - and the Winners are... Prizes totaling $70,000 were awarded to promising new talents from around the world , as part of the closing session of the 13th Edition of the Sam Spiegel International Film Lab, at the Venice Production Bridge. 10 projects were pitched in front of an international jury including chief of staff of the Berlin International Film Festival- Florian Weghorn, The FFF Bayern co-head of funding- Judith Erber and Austrian producer Arash T. Riahi, 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 “Don’t be a Stranger” by Fillipe Fernandes. Producer - Dora Amorim. The jury statement read: “Intimacy pervades this project at every take: with its strong characters caught between longing and loss; in the profound depiction of life and love; and even in the portrayal of the everyday working life of someone who is, in the true sense of the word, a deeply caring person. All these elements come together in a film project of the utmost urgency for the director and the team, for the societies in which diversity is increasingly at threat - and hopefully, also with this award, very soon for a worldwide audience”. The Sam Spiegel International Film Lab Emerging Filmmaker Award in the amount of $20,000 was granted to “Thei night will be White” by Nir Guilat, Producer- Eviatar Moncaz. The jury statement read: “We decided to award the second prize to a film that not only has a great premise but also promises a celebration of child-like innocence within a society full of pain and trauma. A film that makes us laugh and cry at the same time, a film that embraces the beauty of going after our dreams no matter how banal they might seem for other people. A film that surprises us again and again. A film that brings light to the darkness of the night”. A special mention from the jury was given to a third project- “Milah”, by Amos Holtzman. Producer Talia Bernstein. The jury statement read: “The quality of all projects was so high that we would have loved to award all of you. However after careful discussions we decided to make an exception and announce a special mention to a story that represents the best of Israeli filmmaking. A film that dares to talk about taboos in the society with complexity and still allow us to laugh about those traumas, even if it’s a trauma about a piece of a penis. Through its human approach Milah has a huge potential to generate and fire up discussions about who owns our bodies: tradition or our own will”. For the first time in its 13-year history, the Sam Spiegel International Film Lab held its final pitching event as part of the Venice Production Bridge during the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. Dana Blankstein Cohen, executive director of the Sam Spiegel School: "In these horrific times, our moral compass compels us to voice the urgent need to end the war immediately. Holding the Lab’s pitching event in Venice underscores the importance of film havens worldwide - safe, creative spaces where filmmakers gather, exchange, and launch films that envision a more compassionate and secure world for all. We carry a creative responsibility to empower Palestinian and Israeli students and filmmakers, to protect freedom of speech, and to preserve the collaborative work of film between creators from diverse backgrounds". Mor Eldar, Director of the Sam Spiegel Labs adds: “10 Projects from all over the world and from various religions- Christians, Muslims and Jews, shared 8 months of thorough development process together, which culminated in one of the world’s most important film festivals. While working on their first or second films they demonstrated again the power of film to connect people, behind the scenes and in front of the camera”. 3.9.25 Welcome to Venice! Sam Spiegel International Film Lab 13th Edition Arrives in Venice Film Festival For the first time in its 13-year history, the Sam Spiegel International Film Lab is holding its final pitching event as part of the Venice Production Bridge during the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. 10 projects from all around the world: Brazil, Hungary/Slovakia, Austria and Israel are participating in this year's edition of the Lab. During the closing session, they will pitch their projects in front of worldwide cinema industry professionals, including the international jury: chief of staff of the Berlin International Film Festival- Florian Weghorn, The FFF Bayern co-head of funding- Judith Erber and Austrian producer Arash T. Riahi, who will award prizes in the amount of $70,000. 31.8.25 ״The Sea" Swipes Most Nominations For This Year's Israeli Academy Awards Congratulations to our alumnus nominated for this year's Israeli Academy Awards (Ophirs): "The Sea" by Shai Carmeli Pollak (developed in the 5th edition of the Lab) - with 13 nominations, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenwriter "Dead Language" by Mihal Brezis and Oded Binnun (developed in the 4th edition of the Lab) - with 12 nominations, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenwriter "Oxygen" by Netalie Braun (developed in the 9th edition of the Lab) - with 8 nominations, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenwriter 6.8.25 Prizes for "Oxygen", "Dead Language" and "The Sea" at the Jerusalem Film Festival We congratulate the Lab alumnus winning prizes at the Jerusalem Film Festival 2025: "Oxygen" by Netalie Braun (developed in the 9th edition of the Lab) - awarded Best Israeli Feature Film "Dead Language" by Mihal Brezis and Oded Binnun (developed in the 4th edition of the Lab) - awarded Best Script "The Sea" by Shai Carmeli Pollak (developed in the 5th edition of the Lab) - awarded Special Mention and Best Ensemble Cast 25.7.25 Submissions are open for Sam Spiegel International Film Lab - Edition 14 SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN for the next edition of the Sam Spiegel International Film Lab! Submissions are open until August 4th at 16:00 CET If you have a first or second feature project qualifying the requirements for the Lab - we welcome you to apply for our next edition. For more information on the submission requirements and for the application form, please visit the application page: https://filmlab.jsfs.co.il/filmapplication 10.7.25 "Dead Language" Premiering in Tribeca Film Festival We congratulate our alumnies Mihal Brezis and Oded Binnun for the premiere of their film "Dead Language", developed on the Sam Spiegel International Film Lab's 4th edition, and based on the short Academy Award nominated film "Aya". Their upcoming world premiere will take place at the Tribeca Film Festival. Good luck! 5.6.25 The film "Checkout" is out on theatres! ‬Congratulations to Jonathan Dekel, graduate of the Sam Spiegel International Film Lab, whose film "Checkout" is screening theatrically. The film was developed as part of the 7th edition of the Lab and won first place that year. Wishing you great success! 5.5.25 Heartbreaking News: Sam Spiegel School and Labs Founder Renen Schorr Passes Away It is with profound sorrow that we share the heartbreaking news of the sudden passing of Renen Schorr, the visionary founder of the Sam Spiegel Film and Television School. His passing marks the end of an era, leaving an immeasurable legacy not only in Israeli cinema but also in the hearts of all those who had the privilege to learn from, work alongside, and be inspired by him. Renen was the visionary founder of the Sam Spiegel Film and Television School, which he established in 1989 and led for over three decades delivering the school to great international recognition. Schorr was a film director, screenwriter, film producer and Israeli film activist. Over the last 40 years he founded or co-founded the infrastructure of Israeli film funds and cinematheques. Dana Blankstein Cohen, Executive Director of the Sam Spiegel Film and Television School said: “Our community is heartbroken by the news of the death of our teacher and founding director, Renen Schorr. He established what was to become not only his life’s work, but a project that changed Israeli cinema beyond recognition and thus Israeli culture as a whole. Renen was at the helm of the school for more than a generation and did so with unprecedented passion that allowed the school to become a leading and noteworthy institution in the world of cinema. Our hearts are with his family and with the many for whom Renen was a significant mentor in their own journeys as filmmakers and as humans”. 26.2.25 "Girls Will Be Girls" wins the John Cassavetes Award at the Independent Spirit Awards What a wonderful honor! "Girls Will be Girls" by Shuchi Talati and producer Richa Chadda just won the John Cassavetes Award at the Independent Spirit Awards! Developed at the 9th edition of our International Film Lab, "Girls Will be Girls" also won the Sundance Audience Award in 2024 where the film premiered. Really proud of the journey our filmmakers are on - and gratified that they started here. 25.2.25 Edition 4 of the Sam Spiegel Series Lab is open for submissions! Open for submissions! The 4th edition of the Sam Spiegel Series Lab launches, and it's your chance to apply. The Lab helps selected projects to go through an intensive development process with personal guidance and mentoring by television industry professionals. Throughout the Lab, participants will build a visual pitch deck guided by professional designers, and will be mentored for pitching their ideas verbally to business professionals from all around the world. Submissions are open until February 20, 2025 at 13:00 (Israel Time). For more information - https://filmlab.jsfs.co.il/seriesapplication 2.2.25 Moshe Rosenthal's Film "Independence" Finished Principal Shooting Hot off the success of his first feature "Karaoke", Lab alum Moshe Rosenthal just finished principal shooting of his second feature film, "Independence", which he developed at our 7th edition. The film is produced by Green Productions. Best of luck to Moshe and the whole team! 23.1.25 PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS PARTICIPANTS OBLIGATIONS PARTICIPATION REGULATION SERIES LAB PARTICIPANTS MENTORS PROFESSIONAL GUESTS JURY PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS FAQ SERIES LAB FILM LAB MENTORS JURY DECISION MAKERS SCOUTS AND PITCHING PROFESSIONAL GUESTS PARTICIPANTS & PROJECTS LAB FILMS PARTICIPATION APPLICATION PARTICIPANTS OBLIGATIONS RULES & REGULATIONS FILM FAQ FILM LAB HOME TEAM NEWS LABS HOME FILM LAB SERIES LAB TEAM NEWS

As part of the Ophir Israeli Academy Awards 2025, that took place last week, "The Sea" - written and directed by Shai Carmeli Pollack and developed at the Lab's 5th Edition - won 5 awards, including Best Film and Best Script. The film will represent Israel at the Oscar Academy Awards. "Dead Language" by Mihal Brezis and Oded Binnun, developed at the Lab's 4th Edition, won Best Art Direction Award. Photo: Shai Carmeli Pollack, courtesy of Ophir Awards As part of the Ophir Israeli Academy Awards 2025, that took place last week, "The Sea" - written and directed by Shai Carmeli Pollack and developed at the Lab's 5th Edition - won 5 awards, including Best Film and Best Script. The film will represent Israel at the Oscar Academy Awards. "Dead Language" by Mihal Brezis and Oded Binnun, developed at the Lab's 4th Edition, won Best Art Direction Award. Photo: Shai Carmeli Pollack, courtesy of Ophir Awards "The Sea" wins 5 awards, including Best Film, at the Israeli Academy Award NEWS ITEM PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS PARTICIPANTS OBLIGATIONS PARTICIPATION REGULATION SERIES LAB PARTICIPANTS MENTORS PROFESSIONAL GUESTS JURY PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS FAQ SERIES LAB FILM LAB MENTORS JURY DECISION MAKERS SCOUTS AND PITCHING PROFESSIONAL GUESTS PARTICIPANTS & PROJECTS LAB FILMS PARTICIPATION APPLICATION PARTICIPANTS OBLIGATIONS RULES & REGULATIONS FILM FAQ FILM LAB HOME TEAM NEWS LABS HOME FILM LAB SERIES LAB TEAM NEWS

The Sam Spiegel International Film Lab (JSFL) supports bold storytellers, who look deeply into the human experience in search for their unique truth. FILM LAB SERIES LAB LABS NEWS LOAD ALL NEWS "The Sea" wins 5 awards, including Best Film, at the Israeli Academy Award The 13th Edition of the Sam Spiegel International Film Lab Concludes - and the Winners are... Welcome to Venice! Sam Spiegel International Film Lab 13th Edition Arrives in Venice Film Festival ״The Sea" Swipes Most Nominations For This Year's Israeli Academy Awards The JSFL supports story tellers whose voices need to be heard and creates opportunities for a multitude of stories to reach audiences. Since its launch in 2011, The Sam Spiegel International Film Lab has become a leading force in the development of groundbreaking feature films by some of the world’s most promising talents. In December 2021 the Sam Spiegel Series Lab was launched with the aim of creating a bridge between Israeli creators and international audiences. The Sam Spiegel Labs support bold storytellers, who look deeply into the human experience in search for their unique truth. AND IN THE PEOPLE WHO TELL THEM WE BELIEVE IN STORIES LABS TEAM The Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film School is the leading film school in Israel. It’s on the Hollywood Reporter list of 15 best global film schools for 7 years in a row, and was founded in 1989. The JSFS invests in young filmmakers telling the story of Israeli society with all its facets, placing the School as a hub for the flourishing Israeli cinema. Currently JSFS has 180 students enrolled in two tracks: the full track, a four-year program; and the screenwriting track, a two-year program. The School also runs a preparatory program for Arabic speakers from East Jerusalem, to ensure that this population has a chance to apply and learn at the School. Thus far, Sam Spiegel produces around 30 films a year and its graduates form the backbone of the Israeli cinema and television industry. Among the most prominent alumni are Golden Bear winner Nadav Lapid; “Shtisel” creator Yehonatan Indursky; and award-winning directors Rama Burshtein and Talya Lavie. ABOUT JSFS SCHOOL PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS PARTICIPANTS OBLIGATIONS PARTICIPATION REGULATION SERIES LAB PARTICIPANTS MENTORS PROFESSIONAL GUESTS JURY PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS FAQ SERIES LAB FILM LAB MENTORS JURY DECISION MAKERS SCOUTS AND PITCHING PROFESSIONAL GUESTS PARTICIPANTS & PROJECTS LAB FILMS PARTICIPATION APPLICATION PARTICIPANTS OBLIGATIONS RULES & REGULATIONS FILM FAQ FILM LAB HOME TEAM NEWS LABS

Accessibility Statement This website has started the accessibility process, and will finish soon. For any question, you can contact the Make Equal Company by phone and email Introduction In today’s world, where the internet servesa many aspects of daily life for a vast number of people, it is crucial to make every website accessible to ensure a comfortable browsing experience. There are individuals for whom using websites can be difficult or even impossible due to various disabilities. As a result, we make every effort to promote and provide accessibility for all. Our vision is that every person should have the easiest way to navigate the internet, and we are here to assist. How Does Website Accessibility Work? On this website, we have integrated an accessibility plugin by Equality. This plugin allows users to choose from various viewing and browsing options for a more comfortable experience. Clicking on the accessibility plugin icon opens the accessibility menu. You can easily and quickly navigate the site using the keyboard by clicking the “Keyboard Navigation” button in the menu and using the following keys: – Press “B” to navigate between buttons. – Press “F” to navigate between forms. – Press “H” to navigate between headings. – Press “M” to navigate between menus. – Press “G” to navigate between images. Screen reader - for an optimal browsing experience, you can download the NVDA software to your computer for reading texts on the website Encountered a Problem? If you couldn’t find the content you were looking for on our website or need assistance, you can press “F4” to open a window to leave your contact details. Please leave your name and phone number, and a representative will contact you shortly. You can also click the “Emergency Button” in the plugin (located at the bottom) for quick help. When using a computer, click the person icon to initiate remote assistance. Accessibility Menu The accessibility menu offers various features, including: – Quick navigation between main pages on the site. – Adjusting font size on the site. – Changing the background and text colors on the site. – Increasing text display size. – Adjusting text alignment (right/left/center). – Changing header, background, and text colors. – Enlarging the cursor and changing its color (black/white). – High contrast mode. – Dark contrast mode. – High saturation mode. – Zoom in on images. – Removing animations and moving elements from the screen. – Highlighting a specific element when hovering. – Highlighting a specific element when clicking. – Reading mode – displaying the site without images. – Keyboard navigation – navigating between links, headings, buttons, forms, menus, and images using keyboard shortcuts. – Screen reader – reading text on the site by clicking on the desired text. – Microphone – voice command features. Details of the Responsible Accessibility Center on the website Name: Tavor Avrahami Phone: 1-700-015-107 Email: info@equality.co.il Accessibility in business Accessibility Arrangements at the School Facilities The school, its offices, and the cinema halls are located at 3 Menorah Street, Jerusalem, in a six-story building with two elevators. Elevator 1 – from floor 0 to floor 3 Elevator 2 – from floor -1 (parking) to floor 6 Parking – Beneath the school building there is a public parking lot. From the public parking lot there is an elevator leading to the central plaza of the School of Arts campus. The school building is one of three buildings surrounding the plaza. Floors Ground floor – Entrance lobby Floor 1 – Cinema halls and restrooms Floor 2 – Screening rooms Floor 3 – Storage rooms Floor 4 – Offices and classrooms Floor 5 – Classrooms Floor 6 – Editing rooms Accessibility Coordinator Nes Bar Nahum Phone: +972-52-335-5613 Email: ness@jsfs.co.il Auditoriums The school has three auditoriums. In all three: Assistive listening systems for the hearing-impaired Designated seating for people using wheelchairs Additional Accessibility Measures Wide and accessible doors Assistive listening devices for people with hearing disabilities Accessible Restrooms Available on floors 1, 4, and 5 Accessible Parking Available in the Menorah public parking lot Address 3 Menorah Street, Jerusalem Last update date: 17.09.2025

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The Black Forest (La helada negra) The Black Forest (La helada negra) Maximiliano Schonfeld Producer Barbara Francisco & Delfina Montecchia Lab Edition 2 , 2013 SCENE PITCH Production Country Argentina SYNOPSIS A young woman arrives at a farm threatened by a plague. The bewildered farmers yield to her interventions and the immediate neighborhood come to think of Alejandra as their great hope and she starts to be revered like a saint. DIRECTOR'S NOTE ABOUT THE FILMMAKER PRODUCER Barbara Francisco & Delfina Montecchia PRODUCTION COMPANY PROFILE PRODUCTION BUDGET LANGUAGE GENRE Back To Participants PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS PARTICIPANTS OBLIGATIONS PARTICIPATION REGULATION SERIES LAB PARTICIPANTS MENTORS PROFESSIONAL GUESTS JURY PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS FAQ SERIES LAB FILM LAB MENTORS JURY DECISION MAKERS SCOUTS AND PITCHING PROFESSIONAL GUESTS PARTICIPANTS & PROJECTS LAB FILMS PARTICIPATION APPLICATION PARTICIPANTS OBLIGATIONS RULES & REGULATIONS FILM FAQ FILM LAB HOME TEAM NEWS LABS HOME FILM LAB WHO'S WHO MENTORS PROFESSIONAL GUESTS JURY SCOUTS AND PITCHING DECISION MAKERS PARTICIPANTS & PROJECTS LAB FILMS PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS FILM FAQ

Water Level Water Level Screenwriter: Eitan Mansuri Producer/s Eitan Mansuri , Spiro Films Language: Hebrew Format: Send PITCHDECK LOGLINE Water Level” is a dark, intense psychological-thriller taking place in the single location of the SUFA (“Storm”), an Israeli Navy missile boat. The show follows the SUFA combatants as they sail out for a secret mission, to an unknown destination, a journey which will spiral out of control and catapult the combatants to a slow drift out in the ocean, towards an abyss of madness, caught in the inevitable trajectory of collision - with each other. SYNOPSIS OMER (19), a poet in the body of a hoodlum, fresh out of his grunt-work training at the Navy training camp, arrives at the SUFA missile boat, the most combat-oriented boat of the “Flotilla 3” Squadron - and his home for the next two years. Omer is a highly motivated soldier, intent on making his mark during his combat service and proving that he’s just as good of a soldier as his father was. SHUSHAN (21), the senior Electronic Warfare Controller, and the ship's “prom king”, oversees Omer’s induction process. Omer is supposed to eventually replace Shushan, who’s expecting to go on his end-of-service leave upon returning from the secret operation they’re about to ship out to this coming Saturday. No one knows much about the operation, but the rumor going around is that it’s an operation of unprecedented magnitude; even battle seasoned Shushan seems excited about it, and about the fact that it’s the last sail of his army service. Omer and Shushan discover that they’re more alike than they initially thought, and a true friendship develops between them; Shushan helps Omer acclimate and he guides him through the naval “jungle” of the ship, while Omer enables Shushan to express, for the first time, his more artistic sides, and imagine his life after he’s released from the army. However, during his first days on the ship, Omer realizes that things don't exactly work there the way he imagined they did. Except for his friendship with Shushan, Omer’s first week in the ship is a relentless claustrophobic hell, plagued by loneliness, never ending tasks, humiliations, starvation, lack of sleep and harsh adjustment to the social power dynamics reminiscent of the hierarchy structures of maximum-security prisons. But Omer has no complaints, for even though he’s going through the “fresh-meat grind”, he sees how other fresh-meat soldiers who were not lucky enough to have been taken under Shushan’s wing, like “radar” AVRIAN, have to endure constant harassment, both physical and psychological, doled out by GERBI, the most senior soldier on the bow, and the one who terrorizes the young newcomers, who are caught between his abuse and the abuse of GARDUSH (23), the sadistic DNC Officer (Discovery, Navigation, and Communication) and the Lieutenant Captain of the ship who makes it his mission in life to discipline and police the young newcomers. After these first few nightmarish days, in which Omer is pushed to the limit - it finally happens - the SUFA ships out to sea. Omer watches the combatants work together for the first time, in complete coordination and harmony, and feels like he has a chance. However, during the night shift, while Omer and Shushan man their stations, Gardush decides to give Shushan a hard time for nodding-off over the Electrical Warfare system. Gardush yells at him, humiliates him - but Shushan retaliates, with vengeance, and yells back at him: without the stripes on his shoulders, he’s nothing but a privileged spoiled brat everyone would bitch-slap around. Gardush is shocked. He slowly approaches Shushan, while only Omer and “radar” Aviran are watching, and SMACKS HIM ACROSS THE FACE. Shushan loses control, and pounces on Gardush, PUNCHING him in the face and BREAKING HIS NOSE. Omer and his friends can hardly pull them off each other. Gardush promises Shushan: When I'm finished with you, you'll never get out of the army. That very night, BOROCHOVITZ (35), the gung-ho Captain of the ship, court-martials Shushan. Gardush doesn’t let anyone else make their case. He lies and says that Shushan attacked him first. No one says anything to challenge Gardush. Shushan’s stunned. He looks at Omer, his last hope, waiting for him to say something, but to no avail. Omer’s scared of speaking up. He freezes. Shushan is accused of assaulting an officer. He’s sentenced to three months in military prison to be served upon their return, and his army release is delayed by 90 days. Shushan, the most beloved man on the ship, can’t believe that in the moment of truth none of his friends stood up for him. After the trial concludes, Omer tries to apologize to Shushan, who, in return, pushes him aside, refusing to listen to his apology. Night; and the SUFA is slowly sailing toward the Eden Bay. The ship is in cruise mode, the soldiers are sleeping, but Omer can’t fall asleep. He volunteers to take over for one of his fellow combatants and performs a sailors-count in his stead; makes sure no one has fallen off the boat. Following protocol, he counts one soldier at a time, going through all the ship’s sections — but when he reaches the stern, he’s surprised to find that Shushan’s not in his bed. He continues on to the steering room, and slowly pushes opens the heavy iron door. In there, right above the steering wheels in the back, he’s suddenly horror-struck to discover Shushan HANGING from the ceiling, his lifeless body swaying lightly. Stunned by the hideous discovery, Omer reports the incident to Borochovitz, the ship’s captain. But Borochovitz can’t afford to let this complication jeopardize the operation, for his promotion depends on its success. He orders Omer to store the body in the ship’s cooling room (where the food is kept and where bodies are supposed to be stored according to protocol) and informs his soldiers that due to the ship’s strategic location (which might be exposed if they contact headquarters) and due to the rare window of opportunity they have before them - Navy boat SUFA will proceed as planned. Omer, however, cannot just move on. He’s haunted by guilt. Something about Shushan’s sudden suicide doesn’t feel right to him. He decides to try and get to the bottom of what led Shushan to end his life in such a tragic way. He finds Shushan’s smartphone, which Shushan smuggled into the boat against the rules, and starts looking for clues in the video clips Shushan filmed just before his death. He discovers a clip on the phone which exposes an affair between Gerbi and ALMOG (20), the gay and affable CC (command & control) monitor. Omer suspects that the fact that Shushan exposed the affair led Gerbi to hurt him. Furthermore, during Shushan’s funeral, Omer notices that the blue life-belt that Gerbi’s wearing is actually Shushan’s, and the life-belt from which he found Shushan hanging -- is Gerbi’s. Now Omer’s suspicions are reinforced and he realizes that Gerbi is somehow connected to Shushan’s death. But as he digs deeper, he discovers that things are more complicated than he imagined, and that it's possible that Gardush is also involved in Shushan’s death. He learns that Gardush and Shushan had some very troubling altercations in the past, and that in fact Gerbi is acting on Gardush’s behalf. With every day that goes by, Omer becomes more ostracized and isolated in the ship, but he won’t give up, for with every new detail that he uncovers, he becomes more and more convinced that Shushan did not commit suicide, but was in fact MURDERED in cold blood. He tries to raise his concerns before Borochovitz, explain his suspicions, but Borochovitz defends Gardush and warns Omer not to spread dangerous conspiracy theories which he can’t prove. Meanwhile, Gerbi and Gardush are trying to get their hands on Shushan’s smartphone, to dispose of the volatile footage it holds. Omer starts feeling that his life is in real danger. He tries to turn to the only people he trusts on the ship for help: GROSS, his only friend from the bow, RON, Shushan’s best friend, and SHAI (23), the Weapons Officer and the only woman on board. He walks them through his murder theory, step by step; Omer suspects that Gardush and Gerbi collaborated to weaken Shushan and get back at him during the last days of his service before his release. During the confrontation between the three soldiers, things got out of hand, and Shushan was fatally injured and, to evade punishment, Gardush and Gerbi faked his suicide. The evidence Omer presents to Ron, Gross and Shai leave them aghast. They decide to lead a takeover of the ship, to turn it back to Haifa harbor and launch and immediate investigation. But as the mutiny of the low-rank soldiers begins, all hell breaks loose. The anger and frustration that the combatants accumulated throughout the years erupts with hellish rage, unleashed and aimed at the officers. Omer realizes that it’s going to be near impossible to put out the fire he just started. Meanwhile, a new piece of evidence surfaces and reveals to Omer and Shai the truth about Shushan’s death: the person who killed Shushan was not Gerbi, nor was it Gardush, as they first suspected, it was none other than “radar” Aviran! The most degraded soldier on board, and the one who was there all along the way. Now Omer and Shai, his new ally, we’ll have to find a way to stop the takeover before it reaches the point of no return, and at the same time try and stop “radar” Aviran, who realizes he has nothing to lose anymore, and is tight-rope walking the fine line between life and death… WRITER'S STATEMENT ABOUT THE WRITER PRODUCER'S STATEMENT PRODUCER PROFILE PRODUCTION CONTACT DETAILS Back To Participants PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS PARTICIPANTS OBLIGATIONS PARTICIPATION REGULATION SERIES LAB PARTICIPANTS MENTORS PROFESSIONAL GUESTS JURY PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS FAQ SERIES LAB FILM LAB MENTORS JURY DECISION MAKERS SCOUTS AND PITCHING PROFESSIONAL GUESTS PARTICIPANTS & PROJECTS LAB FILMS PARTICIPATION APPLICATION PARTICIPANTS OBLIGATIONS RULES & REGULATIONS FILM FAQ FILM LAB HOME TEAM NEWS LABS HOME SERIES LAB WHO'S WHO MENTORS PROFESSIONAL GUESTS JURY ADVISORY BOARD PARTICIPANTS PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS FAQ

Virgines Virgines Keren Ben Rafael Producer Caroline Bonmarchand Lab Edition 4 , 2015 SCENE PITCH Production Country Israel SYNOPSIS In Kiryat Yam, small town on the north coast of Israel, everything seems to have stopped. Lana, a rebellious teenager, vowed to fight against resignation and immobilism. She couldn't imagine that the rumor of a mermaid off the coast would wake up her town from its torpidity and give her the possibility to finally live. DIRECTOR'S NOTE ABOUT THE FILMMAKER PRODUCER Caroline Bonmarchand PRODUCTION COMPANY PROFILE PRODUCTION BUDGET LANGUAGE GENRE Back To Participants PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS PARTICIPANTS OBLIGATIONS PARTICIPATION REGULATION SERIES LAB PARTICIPANTS MENTORS PROFESSIONAL GUESTS JURY PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS FAQ SERIES LAB FILM LAB MENTORS JURY DECISION MAKERS SCOUTS AND PITCHING PROFESSIONAL GUESTS PARTICIPANTS & PROJECTS LAB FILMS PARTICIPATION APPLICATION PARTICIPANTS OBLIGATIONS RULES & REGULATIONS FILM FAQ FILM LAB HOME TEAM NEWS LABS HOME FILM LAB WHO'S WHO MENTORS PROFESSIONAL GUESTS JURY SCOUTS AND PITCHING DECISION MAKERS PARTICIPANTS & PROJECTS LAB FILMS PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS FILM FAQ

Soft Hours Soft Hours Anna Gyimesi Producer Barbara Janišová Feglová Lab Edition 13 , 2025 SCENE PITCH Production Hitchhiker Cinema Country Slovakia, Hungary SYNOPSIS “Soft Hours" is a drama about Ilona, a woman in her fifties whose adult son, Tóbiás, died during a family trip to Slovakia. Overwhelmed by her loss, she hires Leon, a young prostitute, to fill the void by replacing him. As Leon seeks a mother figure, they develop a suffocating mother-son intimacy that ultimately fails to resolve their elemental needs. The encounter finally forces Ilona to confront her own guilt and imperfection as a mother, allowing herself to grieve. DIRECTOR'S NOTE “Soft Hours” explores the taboos of motherhood in a deeply personal way, stemming from my own grappling with societal expectations, particularly women's roles and the cult of perfection. Though I may not be a mother, this story became urgently compelling as I confronted my own perceived imperfections of my life path. “Soft Hours” tackles not only the stigma of motherly grieving, but also the emotional journey of letting go of idealizations, and finding a new self beyond rigid societal constructs. ABOUT THE FILMMAKER Anna Gyimesi (b. 1985, Budapest) turned from medicine to filmmaking, graduating as a director from the University of Theater and Film Arts Budapest (2019) and Docnomads (2021). Her films explore taboo social issues focusing on motherhood, womanhood, and marginalization. These themes are already visible in her shorts “Affricate” and "Falling”, with the latter winning the Heart of Sarajevo (2023). She's also a doctoral researcher on fiction and documentary boundaries. Soft Hours is her debut feature. PRODUCER Barbara Janišová Feglová Barbara Janišová Feglová is a Slovak producer and founder of HITCHHIKER Cinema, a boutique company dedicated to auteur-driven films with strong social and political resonance. She has produced award-winning creative documentaries such as “A Hole in the Head”, “Lines”, and “Ms. President”. With a background in documentary cinema, she is now shifting her focus to fiction, championing bold, female-led storytelling. Her current slate includes “Soft Hours” by Anna Gyimesi, “This Room is Impossible to Eat" by Barbora Berezňáková, and the series “Child on Fire”. She also teaches at the Documentary Department of the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava. PRODUCTION COMPANY PROFILE ○ HITCHHIKER Cinema, Bratislava / Slovakia ○ +421 905 858 808 ○ boruska@hitchhikercinema.sk PRODUCTION BUDGET ○ Total budget: 1,110,000 USD ○ Confirmed budget and source: 30,000 USD (KULTMINOR, Slovakia) LANGUAGE Hungarian, Slovak, English GENRE Drama Back To Participants PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS PARTICIPANTS OBLIGATIONS PARTICIPATION REGULATION SERIES LAB PARTICIPANTS MENTORS PROFESSIONAL GUESTS JURY PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS FAQ SERIES LAB FILM LAB MENTORS JURY DECISION MAKERS SCOUTS AND PITCHING PROFESSIONAL GUESTS PARTICIPANTS & PROJECTS LAB FILMS PARTICIPATION APPLICATION PARTICIPANTS OBLIGATIONS RULES & REGULATIONS FILM FAQ FILM LAB HOME TEAM NEWS LABS HOME FILM LAB WHO'S WHO MENTORS PROFESSIONAL GUESTS JURY SCOUTS AND PITCHING DECISION MAKERS PARTICIPANTS & PROJECTS LAB FILMS PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS FILM FAQ

The moving first session of our 12th edition has ended, after an exciting week with so many creative moments, with an inspiring masterclass with academy award winner Edward Berger who generously took us into his working process; A fascinating lecture about storytellers meeting AI given be Dr. Michal Ben David; A peaceful morning meditation by Ginger Castillo; and, of course, intensive work done each day with our amazing mentors. The first session, held online, was a meaningful and fruitful first week with our newest edition of the lab. We're already missing the participants! The moving first session of our 12th edition has ended, after an exciting week with so many creative moments, with an inspiring masterclass with academy award winner Edward Berger who generously took us into his working process; A fascinating lecture about storytellers meeting AI given be Dr. Michal Ben David; A peaceful morning meditation by Ginger Castillo; and, of course, intensive work done each day with our amazing mentors. The first session, held online, was a meaningful and fruitful first week with our newest edition of the lab. We're already missing the participants! The First Session of Edition 12 Concludes NEWS ITEM PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS PARTICIPANTS OBLIGATIONS PARTICIPATION REGULATION SERIES LAB PARTICIPANTS MENTORS PROFESSIONAL GUESTS JURY PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS FAQ SERIES LAB FILM LAB MENTORS JURY DECISION MAKERS SCOUTS AND PITCHING PROFESSIONAL GUESTS PARTICIPANTS & PROJECTS LAB FILMS PARTICIPATION APPLICATION PARTICIPANTS OBLIGATIONS RULES & REGULATIONS FILM FAQ FILM LAB HOME TEAM NEWS LABS HOME FILM LAB SERIES LAB TEAM NEWS

Not Your Fault PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS PARTICIPANTS OBLIGATIONS PARTICIPATION REGULATION SERIES LAB PARTICIPANTS MENTORS PROFESSIONAL GUESTS JURY PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS FAQ SERIES LAB FILM LAB MENTORS JURY DECISION MAKERS SCOUTS AND PITCHING PROFESSIONAL GUESTS PARTICIPANTS & PROJECTS LAB FILMS PARTICIPATION APPLICATION PARTICIPANTS OBLIGATIONS RULES & REGULATIONS FILM FAQ FILM LAB HOME TEAM NEWS LABS HOME SERIES LAB WHO'S WHO MENTORS PROFESSIONAL GUESTS JURY ADVISORY BOARD PARTICIPANTS PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS FAQ

Bad Blood Add a Title Add a Title Send Send Osnat Saraga Producers: , Or Levy Berger Bad Blood Lab Edition 4 2025 PITCH LOGLINE Ellie swore she’d never go back to Haifa. But when her ex-bestie Zohar reopens the murder case that shook their senior year, Ellie has no choice but to play Watson in Zohar’s unofficial investigation—because if there’s one thing worse than returning home, it’s having her secret exposed: Ellie is the killer. SYNOPSIS WRITER'S STATEMENT PRODUCER'S STATEMENT LOOKING FOR Back To Participants HOME SERIES LAB WHO'S WHO MENTORS PROFESSIONAL GUESTS JURY ADVISORY BOARD PARTICIPANTS PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS FAQ PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS PARTICIPANTS OBLIGATIONS PARTICIPATION REGULATION SERIES LAB PARTICIPANTS MENTORS PROFESSIONAL GUESTS JURY PARTICIPATION APPLICATION RULES & REGULATIONS FAQ SERIES LAB FILM LAB MENTORS JURY DECISION MAKERS SCOUTS AND PITCHING PROFESSIONAL GUESTS PARTICIPANTS & PROJECTS LAB FILMS PARTICIPATION APPLICATION PARTICIPANTS OBLIGATIONS RULES & REGULATIONS FILM FAQ FILM LAB HOME TEAM NEWS LABS