SERET UK, the largest Israeli film festival in the world, is proud to announce its upcoming edition, which will be held this year from May 16th to May 23rd, 2024.

Surrounded by an amazing community of friends and cinema lovers, SERET is celebrating its Bar Mitzvah, marking thirteen years of showcasing the best of Israeli cinema to audiences worldwide.

In recent months, the festival has faced challenges and pressures on cinema houses, with threats of boycotts and demands for cancellations. However, SERET remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting Israeli culture through cinema and refuses to succumb to censorship or cancellation.

As always, the program for this year’s festival promises to be varied and fascinating. Audiences can expect to see the best of last year’s feature films, documentaries, and short films, including works by talented alumni from Israeli film schools. The Israeli film and TV industry has garnered increasing international recognition in recent years, with awards from prestigious film festivals around the globe. Notably, Israeli stars from both the big and small screens have become household names internationally, showcasing the talent and creativity of Israeli filmmakers to audiences worldwide.

SERET UK is honored to continue its mission of promoting Israeli culture and cinema on the international stage, providing audiences in the UK with a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Israeli life and creativity through the art of filmmaking. Join us for a week-long celebration of Israeli cinema, culture, and community at SERET UK 2024.

UK TEAM

Odelia Haroush – Co Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Sharing her time between Tel Aviv and London, Odelia is a member of the Israeli Film Academy. Odelia holds an MA in Communications and her extensive professional career spans advertising, marketing, PR, production and promotion.

Patty Hochmann – Co-Founder and Artistic Director
Based in Israel, Patty is a member of the Israeli Film Academy and her knowledge of Israeli film and TV is second to none. Her passion ensures that SERET is abundant with cutting edge and top-quality Israeli productions from well-respected and loved filmmakers.

Eliana Bekier – UK Producer
An Israeli actress and producer who has made significant contribution to the arts and culture industries in Israel. In addition to her acting career, Eliana has taken a role of a producer, showcasing her ability to bring creative projects to life. She has lent her expertise to the UK Jewish Film festival and now working as a producer for SERET- the Israeli film festival.

Sarig Peker
A London based independent producer for film and theatre. Producer of award winning documentary 1341 Frames of Love and War, directed by Ran Tal.

Ilana Wegrzyn
A trained psychotherapist and art curator. Interested in the manifestations of the human psyche through various mediums of art.

UK MODERATORS

Keren Shefet
Experienced Producer & Creator with expertise in the theatre and screen sectors. Created and produced a wide range of initiatives, including theatre plays, viral videos, TV broadcasts, and festivals. Keren holds a B.Ed. in Theatre Directing and Teaching and an MA in producing from the Met Film School in London.

Mili Avital
Mili Avital is the first Israeli actor to establish a career in Hollywood. After winning the Israeli Academy Award at the age of 19, Avital moved to the US in 1994 and starred in numerous films, including Jim Jarmouch’s Deadman and Roland Emmerich’s Stargate. Her extensive television work includes Law & Order, Damages and a starring stint in Prisoners of War (aka Hatufim). For 2024, Avital has just completed Mary opposite Anthony Hopkins and she is currently filming Kugel, a spin off of the hit series Shtisel. Avital lives in London and New York, and has been married for many years to Oscar-winning screenwriter, Charles Randolph. They have two children.

Shirit Gal Kedar
Shirit is an Israeli freelance journalist with a focus on entertainment and culture who is based in London. She works with various outlets, and particularly Ynet, conducting both print and on camera interviews. Shirit directed, produced, and wrote a short movie and is currently working on two other shorts. She is a board member of the “Lighthouse international Film Festival”, Long Beach Island and “SERET Israeli Film Festival” here is the UK.

Anat Koren
Anat Koren, a co-founder of SERET, spent a decade with it before taking up a position as a Fact Checking producer at Reuters. She is also the founder and Editor in Chief at Alondon.

Liraz Chamami
Liraz is a lead academy nominated actress based in LondonLiraz is most known for her work in the movie ‘happy times’, the series ‘Malkot’ and her 3 seasons series Manayek as Tal Ben-Harush who soon will film a spin off based on her character. In 2012 Liraz met her husband, Ben Naylor, when played Jessica, shailok’s daughter, at the globe to globe festival. They married at 2014 and since they live with their daughter in London.
In the next year you’ll be able to watch her in the two international series: ‘Bad Boy’ and ‘Unconditional’.

THE JC | Picturehouse drops Israeli film festival
THE TIME | Supernova festival massacre: ‘There’s a campaign to wipe out what happened’
ALONDON | Don’t stop at a red light
THE GUARDIAN | UK Israeli film festival to go ahead despite calls for boycott
JEWISH NEWS | Seret proves the show must go on at the opening night gala
YNET | Protests at an Israeli film festival in London
MAKO | Film screening about “Nova”: protests outside the cinema in London
THE TELEGRAPH | Cinema screening October 7 film graffitied by suspected pro-Palestine activists
THE SPECTATOR | The revolt of the Jews of London
THE STANDARD | Police probe possible ‘hate crime’ at historic cinema ahead of Supernova festival attack documentary screening

The success of the festival depends largely on the support of our donors and sponsors. SERET International makes a significant investment to present the finest new films made in Israel in the last year.

By becoming a contributor, you play a crucial role in this creative process by allowing us to continue to expand our programming and present the Israeli cinema that has become synonymous with SERET.

SERET International is a recognised charity and your gift is tax deductible.

If you have questions or would like information about sponsorship packages and donations,
please email: odelia@seret-international.org

Thank you!

Seret International Limited
16B North End Road
London NW11 7PH
Charity number: 1148131

Bank (GBP): HSBC
Seret International Limited
Sort Code: 40 03 11
Account no: 41626876