Empowering filmmakers. Advancing cinematic excellence. Shaping the future of Israeli storytelling.

 

The Makor Foundation for Israeli Films is an independent, publicly supported nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing original Israeli filmmaking for cinema, television, and emerging audiovisual media. Founded in 1996, the Foundation has played a central role in nurturing creative talent and supporting filmmakers whose work reflects the richness, diversity, and complexity of Israeli society.

The Foundation provides support without discrimination on the basis of religion, race, gender, ethnicity, or cultural background. It is committed to enabling filmmakers to realize their artistic vision through original, innovative, and thought-provoking works that deepen public understanding and give voice to the many communities, identities, and perspectives that make up contemporary Israeli culture.

During its early years, the Foundation operated with public funding provided by the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Council, supporting documentary films and television dramas produced primarily for broadcast on Israel’s cable and satellite television channels.

Following the establishment of the Israel Film Council and the enactment of the Cinematograph Law in 1999, the Ministry of Culture and Sport introduced a new framework for public support of the Israeli film industry. The new funding criteria defined both the allocation of annual public funding among Israel’s film funds and the professional standards governing their activities.

From 1999 through 2025, the Foundation supported documentary films and documentary television series—including short documentaries (7–30 minutes), feature-length documentaries (45 minutes and longer), and documentary series with episodes of at least 30 minutes. It also supported short narrative films, animated short films, and projects created using emerging technologies, with a running time of up to 30 minutes.

Over its first three decades, the Foundation has supported approximately 950 films and series, many of which have been screened at leading international film festivals, exhibited in cinemas, broadcast by television networks, and made available on digital platforms in Israel and around the world. Numerous productions supported by the Foundation have received prestigious awards in Israel and internationally, reflecting the Foundation’s longstanding commitment to artistic excellence, creative innovation, and cinematic diversity.

Beyond financial support, the Foundation serves as a creative and professional hub for Israel’s filmmaking community. It develops and operates professional incubators, workshops, conferences, training programs, and international collaborations that foster artistic excellence, encourage innovation, and support filmmakers at every stage of their creative journey. By promoting emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence, immersive media, and new forms of audiovisual storytelling—the Foundation seeks to help shape the future of Israeli cinema while preserving its commitment to independent artistic expression.

In 2025, revised funding criteria issued by the Ministry of Culture and Sport significantly expanded the Foundation’s mandate. Alongside its continued support for documentary filmmaking, short films, animation, and new media projects, the Foundation began supporting student films as well as the development and production of feature-length narrative and animated films. This expansion marked a new chapter in the Foundation’s history, enabling it to support filmmakers across a broader range of genres, formats, and stages of their creative careers.

 

Leadership & Governance

The Makor Foundation for Israeli Films is registered in Israel as an independent nonprofit organization governed by a voluntary Executive Board and supported by a number of statutory and professional committees. Together, they oversee the Foundation’s governance, ensure transparency and accountability, and support its mission of promoting excellence in Israeli filmmaking.

 

Executive Board

 

Chair – Gil Omer (since 2025)

Board Members – Eli Ben Gera (since 2016) | Yoram Belizovsky (since 2016) | Michal Rafaeli-Kadouri (since 2018) | Niva Mandelblit (since 2018) | Dr. Miri Talmon (since 2019) | Prof. Amir Har-Gil (since 2024) | Anat Zisman (since 2024) | Revital Bellely (since 2025) | Prof. Yvonne Kozlovsky-Golan (since 2025) | Naftali Spitzer (since 2026)

 

Board Committees:

Control Committee: Dror Tene | Prof. Asya Pazi

Program Committee: Gil Omer (Chair) | Niva Mandelblit | Dr. Miri Talmon | Prof. Amir Har-Gil | Anat Zisman | Prof. Yvonne Kozlovsky-Golan

Finance Committee: Yoram Belizovsky (Chair) | Eli Ben Gera | Gil Omer

Resources Committee: Naftali Spitzer (Chair) | Michal Rafaeli-Kadouri | Anat Zisman

Appeals Committee: Gil Omer (Chair) | Prof. Amir Har-Gil | Osnat Trabelsi

Ethics Committee: Gil Omer (Chair) | Dr. Miri Talmon | Michal Rafaeli-Kadouri | Niva Mandelblit

 

Professional Staff

CEO & Artistic Director – Amit Goren (since 2017)

Deputy CEO – Eveline Kluger-Kadish

Director of Content & Community Relations – Vicki Cohen

Accountant – Avi Perl

Legal Advisor – Adv. Eylam Weiss

Vision and Values

The Makor Foundation for Israeli Films believes that cinema is one of the most powerful artistic forms for exploring society, preserving memory, challenging conventions, and fostering meaningful public dialogue. The Foundation is committed to supporting filmmakers whose work reflects the diversity of voices, identities, cultures, and perspectives that shape Israeli society—past, present, and future.

Guided by the values of democracy, freedom of expression, artistic independence, and cultural pluralism, the Foundation encourages films that deepen understanding, cultivate empathy, and inspire thoughtful engagement with the social, cultural, and human realities of contemporary life. It recognizes cinema not only as a form of artistic expression, but also as a vital means of strengthening an open, inclusive, and democratic society.

The Foundation supports the development, production, and completion of a broad range of cinematic projects through a professional, transparent, and equitable evaluation process. It is committed to safeguarding creative freedom while promoting artistic excellence, distinctive personal voices, and ambitious cinematic storytelling. Particular emphasis is placed on originality, authenticity, and the continuous development of each filmmaker’s artistic vision.

Beyond financial support, the Foundation serves as a professional home for filmmakers throughout their creative journey. It develops and operates professional incubators, masterclasses, workshops, conferences, industry forums, and training programs in collaboration with film funds, cultural institutions, broadcasters, academic institutions, and international partners. These initiatives strengthen Israel’s filmmaking community, encourage collaboration across disciplines, and foster the exchange of knowledge, experience, and creative ideas.

Innovation is a central pillar of the Foundation’s vision. Alongside its longstanding commitment to cinematic excellence, the Foundation actively promotes the responsible integration of emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence, immersive media, interactive storytelling, and other evolving audiovisual formats. It encourages filmmakers to explore new creative possibilities while maintaining the highest artistic, ethical, and professional standards. By embracing technological innovation, the Foundation seeks to expand the language of cinema, enrich audience engagement, and open new avenues for storytelling in the digital age.

The Foundation also works to expand the visibility, distribution, and international reach of the films it supports through collaborations with broadcasters, streaming platforms, film festivals, distributors, educational institutions, and cultural organizations in Israel and abroad. Its objective is to ensure that outstanding Israeli films reach the broadest possible audiences while enabling filmmakers to maximize both the artistic and professional impact of their work.

 

 

Our Evaluation Philosophy

Every project submitted to the Makor Foundation is evaluated through a rigorous professional review process that combines artistic judgment, cultural responsibility, and cinematic excellence. Beyond assessing a project’s originality, feasibility, and creative potential, the Foundation’s evaluation is guided by three complementary principles that shape its artistic perspective and reflect its institutional values:

 

Ethics

The Foundation believes that filmmaking carries an ethical responsibility toward the people, communities, and realities represented on screen. Readers consider the filmmaker’s integrity, sensitivity, and sense of responsibility in portraying individuals, communities, and historical or contemporary events. Particular attention is given to the relationship between the filmmaker and the subjects of the film, especially in documentary cinema, where trust and ethical conduct form an essential part of the creative process.

 

Semantics

The Foundation evaluates the relationship between a film’s subject matter and the cinematic language through which it is expressed. Narrative structure, visual style, editing, sound, rhythm, and dramatic form should work together to create a coherent artistic statement. The Foundation values projects in which form and content reinforce one another, allowing the cinematic language itself to deepen the meaning of the work.

 

Aesthetics

The Foundation seeks films that demonstrate originality, artistic ambition, and a distinctive cinematic voice. Readers evaluate the quality of the project’s artistic vision, its command of cinematic language, and the precision and originality of its visual and narrative expression. The Foundation encourages filmmakers to challenge conventions, explore new forms of storytelling, and pursue the highest standards of cinematic excellence.

The Foundation currently supports projects in four principal categories

Documentary Films

Support is available for: Short documentary films (up to 60 minutes), Feature-length documentary films (over 60 minutes), and Documentary series consisting of 2 to 12 episodes, each with a running time of at least 30 minutes. Projects may be submitted on subjects chosen by the applicants or in response to thematic Open Calls published by the Foundation. The Foundation’s principal focus is the support of stand-alone documentary films. Documentary series may also be considered where their artistic quality, public relevance, and distribution potential justify support, particularly when they include a stand-alone version suitable for theatrical exhibition and international film festivals.

Short Narrative Films

Support is available for narrative films of up to 60 minutes, including animated films and projects created using emerging technologies. Projects may be submitted on subjects chosen by the applicants or in response to thematic Open Calls. The Foundation encourages original cinematic works intended for theatrical exhibition, festivals, broadcast, digital distribution, and emerging exhibition platforms.

Feature-Length Narrative and Animated Films

Support is available for narrative and animated films with a running time exceeding 60 minutes. The Foundation encourages ambitious cinematic works with strong artistic vision and international potential, intended primarily for theatrical exhibition while also embracing contemporary distribution platforms.

Student Films

The Foundation considers student productions an essential platform for discovering and supporting the next generation of Israeli filmmakers. Support is available for graduation projects submitted by students enrolled in recognized professional film schools or film departments at accredited institutions of higher education. Eligible projects include: Feature-length narrative films, short narrative films, short and feature-length documentary films, animated films, and Projects created using emerging technologies.

Funding Opportunities

The Foundation administers public funds in accordance with the Israeli Cinema Law and the regulations enacted thereunder. In the event of any inconsistency between the information published on this website and the applicable law or regulations, the provisions of the law shall prevail.

 

Projects may be submitted under one of three funding frameworks, depending on their stage of development.

 

Development

Support for the creative development of a project, including research, scriptwriting, screenplay revisions, acquisition of adaptation rights where required, casting, test shoots, visual development, and preparation for production financing.

 

Production

Support for the complete production process, including research, pre-production, principal photography, post-production, and delivery of the completed film.

 

Production Completion

Support for projects that have entered post-production and require financing to complete editing, sound design, music, color grading, visual effects, mastering, and final delivery.