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Sderot will host Israel’s first Iranian Film Festival later this month, offering a rare cultural bridge between Israelis and Iranians amid persistent regional tension following last June’s 12-day war. Titled “Nowruz,” after the Persian New Year, the two-day event on November 24–25 aims to show how cinema can transcend political divides.
Festival organizer Dana Sameah, 42, who was born in Beersheba to Iranian immigrants, said the project reflects both her heritage and her desire to promote understanding.
“We’re putting our hand out, particularly from a place like Sderot that’s going through its own process of rehabilitation,” she said. “This festival says that we see the distress of the Iranian people and we embrace that culture.”
Although the festival is not held on the dates of the Persian or Jewish New Year, Sameah views it as a symbolic fresh start. The program will include film screenings, lectures, and live music blending traditional and modern Persian styles.
Several events will stream live on the festival’s Facebook page, potentially reaching viewers inside Iran despite heavy government internet restrictions.
Interest from Persian-language media outlets abroad has boosted Sameah’s hopes. “That really moved me,” she said. “We want the Iranians to know about it. If even one Iranian viewer connects to the broadcast and sees us speaking from love, we’ve achieved something meaningful.”
The idea for the festival began taking shape last spring. Sderot, still deeply affected by the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that left 72 residents dead, was chosen deliberately.
Sameah believes cultural events can support the city’s recovery while sending a message of solidarity. “Things are calmer now, but when I would go to Sderot for meetings, there were the sounds of war in the background. Imagining that things would improve gave me hope,” she said.
Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi, who also has Persian roots, embraced the initiative and connected Sameah with the Sderot Cinematheque. The venue will screen films produced in Iran or showcasing Iranian culture, helping Israeli audiences relate to the everyday lives of Iranians rather than geopolitical narratives.
The festival will open with Eran Riklis’ “Reading Lolita in Tehran,” followed by a performance of Persian music by Hezi Fanian. Day two will feature additional lectures, concerts, and screenings, including an open-air performance by kamancheh player Dor Dloya and a psychedelic Persian music showcase by Liraz Charhi.
The event will conclude with Asghar Farhadi’s acclaimed film “The Salesman,” underscoring Iranian cinema’s global influence.
Sameah hopes the festival becomes a recurring cultural platform. “For years, I dreamed of creating access between Israeli and Iranian culture,” she said. “This is a small step, but one that comes from love and connection.”