Thursday | 23.04.26

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Monthly Screenings

Austrian Film Week 2026

In 2026, Austria and Israel celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations—a milestone proudly marked by the 11th Austrian Film Week in Israel, presented by the Austrian Embassy and the Austrian Cultural Forum in cooperation with Israeli cinematheques. For more than a decade, the Film Week has served as a lively platform for contemporary Austrian cinema, bringing Israeli audiences into contact with stories that transcend borders and invite reflection.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

The opening film, Perla, follows a woman drawn back into the turbulence of her past, testing the strength of her family bonds. Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, the film captures the emotional complexity of confronting history while striving to move forward.

The program as a whole reflects the international scope and creative depth of Austrian cinema. Across six films, audiences encounter stories about the connections that shape our lives—friendship, family, solidarity, and the courage to face both personal and societal challenges. The films engage with pressing social and political questions, from the struggle for human rights and justice to journeys of self-discovery and self-reflection.

Several of these films have been featured at major international film festivals, including Rotterdam, Venice, Berlin and San Sebastian, underscoring the global recognition of Austrian filmmaking.

Opening Event

Screening in the presence of director Alexandra Makarova

Perla

Dir.: Alexandra Makarová
| 108 minutes

Vienna, early 1980s. Artist Perla’s life has finally settled—until a single phone call, with a familiar voice, awakens painful memories. Drawn into a dangerous journey she once escaped, she faces irreversible choices. Director Alexandra Makarová presents a gripping drama, led by Rebeka Poláková’s stunning performance.

The Witness

Dir.: Nader Saeivar
| 110 minutes

The film follows Tarlan, a retired dance teacher in Iran who witnesses her friend’s murder by a government official. When authorities refuse to act under political pressure, she must choose between personal safety and justice, exposing Iranian women’s struggle against oppression, censorship, and moral compromise.

In the Name of Blood

Dir.: Akaki Popkhadze
| 105 minutes

A pillar of Nice’s Georgian community is murdered. His son Tristan is left with his grieving mother, until Gabriel, an older brother with a troubled past, returns from exile seeking redemption. Akaki Popkhadze’s debut injects fresh energy into the crime-and-revenge genre, marking him as an exciting new voice.

 

Girls & Gods

Dir.: Verena Soltiz, Arash T. Riahi
| 90 minutes

This documentary follows Inna Shevchenko of the feminist group FEMEN as she meets women with contrasting relationships to religion—some oppose it, others defend tradition, and others seek reform. All are united by one belief: no god, in heaven or on earth, can deny women their rights.

It's All Going South

Dir.: Pia Hierzegger
| 94 minutes

Three longtime friends—Astrid, Elli, and Isabella—set out on a nostalgic camping trip, only to find nothing feels the same, especially after Elli’s chemotherapy. An impulsive act sends them to Italy, where humor and insight test their friendship and celebrate the courage to break free.