PriFest15 FOCUS – ISRAEL

With the support of the Israeli Embassy in Kosovo, Israeli films, filmmakers and festival organizers will come to PriFest to present their films and projects, as well as to participate in our regional film industry platform PriForum.

4 Israeli projects will compete in the Best Pitch Competition, while 1 World Premiere, 1 International Premiere and 1 Kosovo Premiere will be screened as part of the Focus: Israel program. The three films are:

Karaoke by Moshe Rosenthal, Israel / Kosovo Premiere (103 min).

Meir and Tova (60) live a middle class life in a sleepy suburb, plagued by an unspoken sense of disappointment and regret. When Itsik Marziano (55) a former Miami based model agent, moves into their building, their lust for life is reignited. The couple is fascinated by the international open minded bachelor, who doesn’t succumb to social expectations. Meir tries to alter his appearance, in an attempt to transform himself into a modern man, while Tova attempts to turn Itsik into their best friend. But soon enough, they become obsessive towards Itsik as they compete with their neighbors for his affection. In their attempt to win him over, their entire existence is turned on its head.

Bound by Yotam Nissim Sas, Istrael / International premiere (15 min).

On the outskirts of Jerusalem, a group of kids engage in a fight that spirals out of control towards disastrous consequences.

"Bound" is a depiction of the way violence shapes hierarchy, but salvation comes only with sacrifice and compassion.

Revived by Uriya Hertz, Israel / World Premiere (17 min).

After a night out at a Jerusalem gay bar, Aaron finds out that his bag is missing. Unable to return home without it, he receives assistance from Sefi, the bartender. The fates of both will be linked tonight.

Kosovo and Israel have recently signed a bilateral agreement for film co-production. PriFest will organize a panel discussion during the festival to present this treaty and to explore new possibilities for developing cooperation between the respective film industries of the two countries.

Her Excellency Tamar Ziv, Ambassador of the State of Israel to the Republic of Kosovo, expressed her satisfaction with the large presence of Israeli filmmakers in the 15th edition of the Prishtina International Film Festival, which coincides with the 75th anniversary of Israel's Independence and the 3rd anniversary of Kosovo's recognition by Israel.

“With the agreement in the field of cinematographic co-production, I believe that our film cooperation will only deepen. I would like to thank PriFest and its Director Fatos Berisha for having Israel as the focus country this year as well as for inviting 12 Israeli filmmakers and festival organizers to take part in this prominent festival. I am confident that next year we will see a growing number of Israeli-Kosovar film co-production”, Ambassador Ziv said.

Director of PriFest, Fatos Berisha, expressed his excitement for this year’s Focus Program. “It is a real pleasure to host a big delegation of filmmakers from Israel. I would like to thank Madam Ambassador Tammy Ziv for her support. We, at PriFest, believe this is the beginning of new friendships and collaborations between filmmakers of both countries.”

PriFest will hold its 15th edition from 12-17 of September at Kino Armata, Prishtina.

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