New Israel Fund Australia is proud to host a screening of the award-winning film "The Sea" in conjunction with the Jewish International Film Festival 2026.

The film will be followed by a special Q&A with NIF Executive Director, Kate Rosenberg and the filmmakers, Shai Carmeli Pollak and Baher Agbariya, about the role of activism and freedom of speech in the Israeli arts sector.

Sunday 11th October

6:00pm food and mingling

6:30pm film and Q&A

Dendy Cinemas Canberra - Canberra Centre, 148 Bunda St

Film synopsis:

A deeply humanistic drama made with a crew of Jews and Arabs working together, The

Sea is director Shai Carmeli-Pollak's triumph, winner of Best Film at the Ophir Awards

and Israel's official submission to the Academy Awards.

Reminiscent of the child-centric humanism of Vittorio De Sica and Jafar Panahi, The

Sea tells the story of Khaled, a 12-year-old Palestinian boy who is taken to see the

ocean for the first time on a school trip, but is denied entry at the military checkpoint.

Without knowing Hebrew or his way, Khaled embarks on an odyssey through the streets

of Tel Aviv in search of the Mediterranean, encountering a kaleidoscopic cross-section

of Israeli society and all of its nuances.

This story of compassion – filmed in both Tel Aviv and Palestinian villages along the

border wall – centres around a stunning performance from newcomer Mohammad

Ghazawi, the youngest ever winner of the Ophir Award for Best Actor.

Contact the host of The Sea film screening hosted by NIF Australia