CoPro Israel Sets Industry Events, Documentary Slate Including Films About Sigmund Freud, Noga Erez and Oct. 7 (EXCLUSIVE)

K.J. Yossman
·4 min read
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Israel’s foremost documentary market CoPro has unveiled its main slate ahead of the event next month.

CoPro Israel, which takes place from Jun 3 to 6 in a hybrid in-person/online format, will welcome over 80 representatives from broadcasting networks, production companies, and sales agents to Tel Aviv for a variety of industry events.

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Strands include Rough-Cut, in which six documentaries in post-production will be exclusively screened to a handpicked group of decision makers and programmers, Pitch Forum, which will showcase 10 outstanding projects, and The Impact Lab, which will connect filmmakers with third sector, private sector and policy makers and honor one project with a grant.

Student Film Labs– Fiction and Documentary will showcase 16 student projects and include a pitching forum to spotlight young talent while the Screening Room catalogue will present 6 newly completed films set to premier at the 2024 Docaviv International Documentary Film Festival. This year’s selection includes “Sapir” by director Liran Atzmor and producer Orly Topel, which is set to have its world premiere next month at Sheffield DocFest.

While most of the 2024 edition will take place online due to the ongoing war, 10 projects will be presented at the forum on June 3.

“In the face of this dark and difficult time and the uncertainty of the days to come, we at CoPro are committed to keep promoting and supporting the Israeli independent documentary filmmakers and use films as a tool to bridge and create dialogue with audiences around the globe,” said Pnina Halfon Lang, CoPro’s executive director.

See some of the highlights from the slate below

“Six Thirty”
Director: Alon Daniel
Produced for KAN11

Daniel uses a combination of animation and personal testimonies to trace how the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks were perpetrated across eight different locations on the border, highlighting the impact of the atrocity and the resilience of the survivors.

“Gorji: An Iranian Legend”
Director: Tomer Heymann
Produced for yesDocu

Heymann (“Mr Gaga”) follows the story of Israeli film director George Ovadiah’s three children as they discover, some thirty years after his death, his remarkable career as a Jewish filmmaker in Iran before the Islamic Revolution and his impact on Iranian culture.

“Noga”
Directors: Benji and Jono Bergmann
Co-produced by Danna Stern for yesDocu

A documentary about Israeli indie pop sensation Noga Erez as she prepares to launch her third album amid personal and geopolitical challenges.

“Awakening: The Fight for Israel’s Democracy”
Director: Noam Pinchas

Pinchas began his documentary looking at the national political unrest in Israel – which was then given new meaning following the Oct 7 war.

“The Woman In White”
Director: Emmanuelle Mayer
Produced by Emmanuelle Mayer and Noam Pinchas for Kan

An investigation into the mysterious Tamar Golan, a self-appointed diplomat who entertained world leaders in her Paris salon, changing the face of the Middle East in the process.

“You Can See the Same Stars as Me”
Director: Eliav Lilti
Produced by Stav Morag Meron

A documentary about Jewish Hungarian illustrator Felix Kassovitz, who in 1944 sent his son a postcard of a child looking at the night sky from one of Ukraine’s brutal labor camps. Kassovitz’s son Peter and grandchild Mathieu take part in the documentary.

“Kfar Aza – 95% Heaven”
Director: Karin Kainer
Produced by Ananey Studio for KAN

A documentary following Ori Epstein, the leader of kibbutz Kfar Aza in the aftermath of Oct. 7, where Epstein saw half his family slaughtered by Palestinian terrorists. Amidst all odds, he sets off to rebuild his home, heritage and kibbutz.

“Calendars of Love”
Director: Ayelet Heller
Produced by Hilla Medalia for yesDocu

A documentary about an elderly lesbian couple struggling with dementia.

“Gaza Syndrome”
Directors: Hila Izhaki and Duby Kroitoru
Produced by Yoav Leshem and Duby Kroitoru for KAN

A three-part docuseries exploring the relationship between Israel and Gaza, including the events of Oct. 7.

“Outsider”
Director: Yair Qedar
Produced by Yair Qedar for Kan, ORF, RBB & ARTE

An exploration of Sigmund Freud, including unseen personal archives, new research and animation.

“Necropolis”
Director: Keren Alexander
Produced by Kobi Mizrahi for KAN

A documentary exploring life and death in Jerusalem as the filmmakers follow the excavation of the city’s biggest Jewish ceremony as it expands underground.

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