'Summer Vacation' directors Sharon Maymon and Tal Granit
Photo: Yifat Kleinhendler
2 Israeli short films shortlisted for Oscar
'Aya' and 'Summer Vacation' included among 10 finalists for Best Short Film at 87th Academy Awards ceremony.
A moment before the end of 2014, which was an excellent year for Israeli cinema, the local film industry received some good news: Two Israeli films have made it into the shortlist of the 2015 Best Short Film Oscar.
The 10 finalists, which were announced in the United States over the weekend, include "Aya," directed by Oded Binnun and Mihal Brezis, and "Summer Vacation," directed by Sharon Maymon and Tal Granit.
Yiftach Klein, Oded Leopold and Hilla Vidor in 'Summer Vacation'
"Summer Vacation" is a 22-minute drama about an unbearable family vacation on a beautiful island starring Yiftach Klein, Oded Leopold and Hilla Vidor. Its directors, Maymon and Granit, gained a lot of success recently with their dark comedy "Mita Tova" ("The Farewell Party").
Sarah Adler in 'Aya'
Binnun and Brezis created a precedent when their film "Aya" was commercially screened in Israeli cinemas despite its length (40 minutes). The movie follows a Scandinavian priest (played by Danish star Ulrich Thomsen) and the Israeli driver (Sarah Adler) who picks him up from the airport.
The two directors are working on an extended version of the "Aya" script which will be developed into a feature film.
The 10 finalist for Best Short Film will undergo an additional screening by the members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The final list of nominations will be announced on January 15.
The 87th Academy Awards ceremony will be held in Los Angeles on February 22.
