The Solidarity Film Festival began in 2011, driven by a deep belief in the power of art, particularly cinema, to bring about meaningful change in ideological perceptions and in reality. The Solidarity Festival, the only cultural event in Israel dedicated entirely to human rights, offers an excellent cinematic experience that, alongside the pleasure of watching films in public, aims to provoke thought and ignite discussions on issues central to liberal and humanistic thinking—especially at a time when democracy in Israel and globally is being challenged and human rights are under threat.
The festival's program includes award-winning international and Israeli films, both narrative and documentary, and provides frameworks to explore burning topics related to various issues and struggles such as democracy, globalization, refugees and asylum seekers, discrimination, racism, women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights, children's and youth rights, freedom of expression, workers' rights, hunger, poverty, food security, environmental justice, and the climate crisis. Special attention is given to unique local issues, especially the occupation and the Basic Law, reflecting a deep responsibility and commitment to creating a more just and equitable society in Israel.
Over the years, the Solidarity Festival has established fruitful partnerships and professional connections with human rights organizations and civil society groups in Israel and around the world, with whom we share common ideological foundations and strive to promote shared values. These collaborations, alongside collaborations with institutions, bodies, and organizations in the field of cinema, enable the festival to maintain complete artistic freedom while pursuing artistic excellence, encouraging filmmakers who focus on human rights, and providing the audience with a meticulous and optimal cinematic experience.
Through various competitions, the festival offers premiere screenings of outstanding films by leading filmmakers from Israel and abroad, alongside special tracks of including a student film competition and films by high school students. The festival's focus on the next generation of creators is intended to encourage the exploration of political and social issues in cinematic work, particularly against the backdrop of the weakening of the democratic idea and the struggles for human rights in Israel and worldwide.
In addition to the annual festival held at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque and other venues, we offer year-round programs in Israel's social and geographic peripheries, aiming to introduce human rights topics to as wide an audience as possible and to provide additional tools for empowerment, creation and self-expression. Films from the Solidarity festival are screened throughout the year in various locations across Israel social and educational cinema projects organized by the festival, including workshops, masterclasses, and sessions we conduct with youth in unrecognized villages in the Negev and mixed cities.
Dani Vilenski
Founder and Festival Director
Gidi Avivi
Artistic Director
Maayan Jonah Ehrlich
Producer
Ohad Ephrath
Traffic and Technical Director
Tal Korjak
Technical Consultant
Noam Sheizaf, Dan Geva
Content Consultants
Rani Avgar, Sigal Vanunu Gadish
Special Consultants
Jonathan Joel
Language Editor
Ami Asher
Editing and Translation into English
Yossi Halili
Social Media
Irit Yaron Deker
PR and Communications
Tal Sharon
Website and Graphic Design
Dana and Dan Shaham
Logo Design and Visual Language
Sapir Ben-Hillel
Video
Royal Titles – Roy Pitluk
Films Translation
International Films Competition Selection Committee
Gidi Avivi, Yulie Cohen, Alon Garbuz, Shani Kiniso, Meir Reuveni, Pini Schatz, Julie Shles, Dani Vilenski, Ruthy Wischnevsky, Rachelle Yair
International Films Competition Jury
Head of Israeli Films Competition
Maayan Ehrlich
Israeli Films Selection Committee
Gidi Avivi, Irit Gal, Alon Garbuz, Pini Schatz, Dani Vilenski, Ruthy Wischnevsky, Rachelle Yair
Israeli Short Films Competition Jury
Meital Zvieli (Head), Assaf Lapid, Yaara Ozery
Israeli Student Films Competition Jury
Meital Zvieli (Head), Anat Nattel, Yuval Shani
Israeli High School Students Film Competition
Dr. Evanna Ratner, Itai Ken-Tor
Israeli High School Students Film Competition Selection Committee
Elad Mokades, Shahar Adi, Gilad Reichenbaum
Israeli High School Students Film Competition Jury
Ronit Bar Ilan, Eran Paz, Tam Dadon
Solidarity for Art, Activism and Human Rights Association
Yifat Solel (Chair), Ran Avgar, Arnon Ben Haim, Merav Ben Shlomo, Guli Dolev-Hashiloni, Shimon Elad, Erez Lotan, Julie Shles, Yehudit Tamir
TLV Cinematheque
General Manager - Dina Peled, Program Manager - Pini Schatz, Marketing Manager - Smadar Bracha