Established more than 25 years ago, Docaviv, the Non-Profit Organization for the Promotion of Documentary Cinema, is a leading and influential cultural institution in the film and filmmaking sphere. The NPO runs Docaviv Festival, a globally and locally acclaimed documentary film festival. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences selected Docaviv as one of the world’s leading festivals whose winners automatically qualify for Oscar consideration.
The Israeli documentary film industry is superb, as evident by the impressive number of Israeli films that have won awards and competed in festivals worldwide. These days, the international culture scene is choosing to ignore Israeli films. Some are vocal about this choice, while others send the same message with their silence. As a result, the number of Israeli films screened globally has decreased significantly. Now more than ever, we take pride in being the world’s largest and most respectful platform for Israeli filmmakers, and in our efforts to support them and their artistic endeavors.
Boasting over 60,000 annual attendees, the festival screens over 100 new films each year, with a significant part of the program dedicated to Israeli filmmaking.
- For us at Docaviv, supporting Israeli filmmakers is a top priority and a core value. Each year, the festival awards a combined total of NIS 400,000 in prize money and grants to outstanding filmmakers and film professionals, with award categories like best director, editing, soundtrack, cinematography, research, best debut film, best student film, and more.
- Community outreach at Docaviv: For over a decade now, the NPO has been holding documentary filmmaking workshops at boarding schools and youth villages across Israel, where young people make documentary films with guidance and support from Israel’s top documentary filmmakers.
- To support Israel’s disadvantaged periphery, the NPO runs two offshoot festivals—Docaviv Galilee in Ma’alot Tarshiha and Docaviv Negev in Yeruham. Each festival’s program includes films by local filmmakers from the region, some of which are produced with support from the festivals.
- Labs and workshops with industry professionals: To support experienced and early-career filmmakers and maximize their potential for international success, the Docaviv NPO holds panels, masterclasses, and meetups with leading industry professionals.
In these difficult times of war, in the wake of the horrific events of October 7th, we have been hard at work. To give our loyal audience a welcome break, we have made excellent films available to stream online. This year’s Docaviv Galilee Film Festival was held online, with the entire program available to stream for free in order to introduce as many viewers as possible to Israeli documentaries and enable Israeli filmmakers to earn fair pay. We have also organized several events for Israeli filmmakers, held screenings of quality content for evacuated kids from the affected Gaza Envelope region, and more.
Docaviv 2024, which will take place from May 23rd to June 1st, will spotlight current burning issues and continue to screen films that voice support for democracy, freedom of speech, protecting the environment and fighting climate change.
To support the war effort, this year’s festival will offer free entry for soldiers and film students at Sapir College in Sderot.
Today, with culture budgets made particularly vulnerable by the current situation and filmmakers facing economic uncertainty, we ask you to join us in strengthening and preserving this vital cultural asset and help support local documentary filmmakers and the Israeli film industry as a whole.
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