Director Wim Wenders to visit Israel
German director who heads European Film Academy to take part in Sam Spiegel Film School 20th anniversary celebrations, host workshop about future of Israeli cinema
This November, the Sam Spiegel Film & Television School will celebrate two decades since its founding. To mark the event, the school will host a first-of-its-kind conference, focusing on the future of Israeli film, with the participation of German director Wim Wenders, who heads the European Film Academy.
Wenders, who directed "Wings of Desire", "Buena Vista Social Club" and "Paris, Texas", among other films, will host a three-day workshop for the school's students and alumni. Wenders will also receive the title of Honorary Fellow from the school's director and founder Renen Schorr.
Festive premiere. 'Palermo Shooting'
Cinematheques across the country will hold tributes for Wenders, in which retrospectives of his best works will be screened his latest film "Palermo Shooting", which was nominated for the Golden Palm award in the Cannes Film Festival, will be premiered.
"Wim Wenders is not only a huge director who represents European cinema and a teacher with great passion for film, he also has a strong bond with this school and Israeli cinema in general," said Schorr.
"About seven years ago, I turned to Wenders, along with other people from the film industry, and asked him to include Israel in the European Film Academy. He agreed and since then Israel is part of European cinema and Israeli filmmakers can participate and win awards on behalf of the European academy, which is headed by Wenders," Schurr added.
The Sam Spiegel conference will be held November 11th at the Jerusalem Cinematheque. According to Schurr, "Israeli cinema is currently at one if its peaks. A discussion must be held on how to turn the Israeli cinematic work from a passing trend on the international scene into a long lasting phenomenon."
The event will host actors, producers, directors, investors and critics, and will screen short film-strips featuring film industry leaders who will discuss the future of Israeli cinema.
