AGP Executive Report

Documentary: A chance encounter with a sheep sparked Palestinian filmmaker Asmahan Bkerat’s debut, Concrete Land, a portrait of a Bedouin family and displacement. Two of its subjects attended the film’s London premiere, their first trip abroad. Israeli Film Debate: The documentary NAZA is drawing backlash and scrutiny: Netanyahu called for a criminal probe into its anonymous IDF sources, while filmmaker Jonathan Glazer said Israel’s response was more venal than he expected. Music: American producer Justin Goldner is working on a Yiddish album. TV: The Chosen Season 6 trailer follows Jesus through his final 24 hours; the six-episode season starts on Prime Video Nov. 15, with a theatrical finale due in March. Basketball: Hapoel Tel Aviv beat Panathinaikos 91–81 in Athens, handing the Greek side its first EuroLeague loss of the season.

Community & Sport: Be’eri has opened a new cycling park, including a pump track, as the kibbutz rebuilds after October 7. The project honors local cyclists killed in the attack and aims to help restore community life ahead of residents’ planned return in 2027. Film: The Israeli-made documentary NAZA is drawing fresh controversy as UK screenings begin. Its filmmakers present testimony from Israeli soldiers about the Gaza war; the IDF disputes key claims, including how its targeting systems were used. Festivals & Music: Jerusalem’s Women’s Film Festival is set to showcase Israeli and international cinema, while the Israel Philharmonic has launched its landmark 90th season. The Arava International Film Festival is also expanding to two outdoor screens this November.

On Screen: “The Chosen” has released a dramatic trailer for season six, focused on Jesus’ final hours. “Fauda” co-creator has also spoken about war and Hamas. Israeli Arts: A panel is set to discuss challenges facing Jewish and Israeli artists, while Tel Aviv is expected to open Israel’s first fashion museum in early 2027. Film Festivals: The Arava International Film Festival is expanding to two outdoor screens for its November edition. Jerusalem’s Women’s Film Festival will spotlight Israeli and international cinema, with themes of trauma, healing and hope. Music: The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra has launched its 90th season. Boy George is also set to perform two Tel Aviv shows after writing a pro-Israel anthem. Documentary Debate: “NAZA,” a film about Israel’s use of AI-assisted airstrikes in Gaza, has passed $500,000 at the U.S. box office while facing intense controversy at home.

Music: Boy George says he is struggling to find musicians willing to join his November Israel shows after receiving threats and seeing posters vandalized. He says his song honoring Nova festival victims was inspired by Oct. 7. Film: Tel Aviv-based Dori Media and India’s Sphereorigin are developing a movie about the FlyDubai hijacking attempt, focusing on the injured pilot and Israeli passengers who helped stop it. Visual Arts: Tel Aviv is set to open Israel’s first fashion museum in early 2027. The city’s light festival is also back, featuring three million LEDs. Israeli Cinema: The documentary NAZA has passed $500,000 at the U.S. box office, amid political backlash and calls for an investigation into its participants.

Israeli Screen: Channel 12’s new series “The Escape” makes its debut as a tense drama about a young man raised in an isolated sect. Its review also praises “Shalom,” a film about Jerusalem’s Biblical Zoo’s beloved rhino. “Waves,” a story of resistance at a Prague radio station in 1968, has opened in Israel. Fashion & City Life: Tel Aviv is set to get Israel’s first fashion museum in early 2027, while the city’s light festival returns with three million LEDs. Comedy & Cinema: “Eretz Nehederet” is back with election satire, and the Jerusalem Women’s Film Festival is spotlighting Israeli and international filmmakers. Music: The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra has launched its landmark 90th season.

Fashion: Israel’s first museum devoted entirely to fashion is planned for Tel Aviv in early 2027. The three-floor Tel Aviv Fashion Museum will host exhibitions, talks and educational events at Azrieli Sarona. City Lights: Tel Aviv’s light festival is back, with three million LEDs illuminating the city. TV: Satirical hit Eretz Nehederet returns with election jokes and spoofs, including a flydubai send-up. Film: The Jerusalem Women’s Film Festival is spotlighting Israeli and international cinema, while the Arava International Film Festival is expanding to two outdoor screens for its November edition. Live Music: Boy George has announced two Tel Aviv shows, with one dedicated to Nova festival survivors. Basketball: Maccabi Tel Aviv fell 90–87 to Barcelona after a late three-pointer, leaving the team 1–4 in EuroLeague play.

TV & Comedy: Israeli sketch show Eretz Nehederet returned with a season premiere that poked fun at rumors Hollywood star Sydney Sweeney may convert to Judaism, including a comic Hebrew rendition of “Hatikvah.” Film: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for a criminal investigation into the anonymous IDF sources featured in Israeli documentary NAZA, adding to the controversy around the film. Cultural Heritage: Israel returned 22 ancient Greek artifacts, the first such repatriation between the countries; the collection includes pottery and a bronze statuette dating back more than 2,000 years. Eurovision: About 400 Dutch public-broadcasting employees are urging the NPO to reconsider the Netherlands’ planned 2027 return, objecting to Israel’s participation.

Film: The Arava International Film Festival is adding a second outdoor screen for its 15th edition in November. Meanwhile, the Israeli documentary NAZA has passed $500,000 at the U.S. box office and is opening in French theaters, even as its filmmakers face protests and a call for a criminal probe. Art: Artist Barbara Hines, who discovered her Jewish roots, has unveiled her first solo exhibition in Israel. Music: Three Israeli musicians have reunited as The Mothers, bringing faith, motherhood and rock ’n’ roll together. Food: Michelin-starred chef Moshik Roth is defending his 1,600-shekel tasting menus, telling diners to eat out less and come to his restaurant.

Film: The Arava International Film Festival is expanding to two outdoor screens for its 15th edition in November. Jerusalem’s Women’s Film Festival will spotlight Israeli and international cinema, while “Fauda” co-creator Avi Issacharoff shared stories behind the hit series, whose fifth season has topped charts abroad. Israeli Arts: German artist Barbara Hines is presenting her first solo exhibition in Israel after discovering her Jewish roots. The Mothers, three Israeli musicians, have reunited, blending faith, motherhood and rock. On Stage: Boy George has added a second Tel Aviv show, dedicating it to Nova music festival survivors. Documentary Debate: “NAZA,” the film examining Israel’s military use of AI in Gaza, has passed $500,000 at the U.S. box office as protests and fierce criticism continue.

Film Controversy: Israeli documentary NAZA has passed $500,000 at the U.S. box office. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking an investigation into its anonymous military sources, accusing them of security breaches and harming Israel’s standing. Television: Israeli medical thriller Heart of a Killer, starring Niv Sultan, has been renewed for a second season. Live Music: Boy George is bringing two shows to Tel Aviv, with one dedicated to survivors of the Nova festival massacre. Arts: The Jerusalem Women’s Film Festival will spotlight Israeli and international cinema and female filmmakers, while the Israel Philharmonic opens its landmark 90th season.

Film: Jerusalem’s Women’s Film Festival is set to spotlight Israeli and international cinema by women filmmakers, with stories of trauma, healing and hope. Live Music: Boy George is booked for two Tel Aviv shows after releasing a pro-Israel anthem; one concert is dedicated to Nova festival survivors. Classical Music: The Israel Philharmonic is launching its landmark 90th season. Basketball: Maccabi Tel Aviv claimed its first EuroLeague win of the season, beating Armani Milano 97–79 in Belgrade.

Live Music: Boy George has added a second Tel Aviv show, on Nov. 7, after strong demand for his Nov. 4 concert. The Culture Club singer’s new song, “We Will Dance Again,” responds to the Oct. 7 massacre and its aftermath. Film: Jerusalem’s Women’s Film Festival runs Oct. 12–16, with Israeli and international features, documentaries and shorts focused on women’s stories. Classical Music: The Witches? Festival returns Oct. 16–17 in Jerusalem, celebrating women’s contributions to music, from early compositions to jazz. On Screen: The Israeli Second Temple-era drama Legend of Destruction is now available in the U.S., while the Israel Philharmonic is launching its 90th season.

Film: Gidi Dar’s animated epic Legend of Destruction, about the revolt against Rome and the fall of the Second Temple, is now available to buy digitally in the US. Its English-language cast includes Oscar Isaac, Evangeline Lilly and Elliott Gould. Festival: The Jerusalem International Women’s Film Festival runs October 12–16, with Israeli and international films and a tribute to filmmaker Hanna Azoulay-Hasfari. Television: Mark Feuerstein is in Israel to film Midair, an action thriller for Yes starring Aviv Alush and Gal Malka. Classical Music: The Israel Philharmonic opens its 90th season with concerts in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa, led by music director Lahav Shani. Live Music: Boy George is set to perform in Israel on November 4, standing by his public support for the country despite industry backlash. Community Arts: Jerusalem hospital volunteer Cara Nachshon uses clowning and humor to comfort patients, bringing her red nose to wards and waiting rooms.

Stage & Screen: Aviva Studios’ black comedy Application 39 imagines a future Gaza hosting the Olympics. Its jokes about war and politics drew both laughter and shocked groans. Israeli Film: The documentary NAZA, about AI-assisted airstrikes in Gaza, is drawing sharply divided reviews and government backlash. Israel’s Oscar entry Tell Me Everything was dropped from queer film festivals after boycott threats. Industry: Shari Redstone-backed Sipur Studios has opened a London office as it expands internationally. Live Music: Boy George added a second Israel concert dedicated to Nova festival survivors; 6,400 people attended a sold-out Sukkot concert at Jerusalem’s Sultan’s Pool. Documentary: A new Israeli film follows Soroka Medical Center’s efforts to save lives on October 7, joining a wave of films and memorial screenings about the attacks.

Documentary Spotlight: A new episode of KAN’s Real Time revisits Soroka Medical Center’s response to October 7, when staff treated 674 people injured in the attacks. Film Debate: Israeli documentary NAZA, by the team behind Oscar-winner No Other Land, is drawing attention for its accounts from Israeli soldiers and intelligence officers involved in the Gaza war. Festival Dispute: Israel’s Oscar submission Tell Me Everything was dropped from a Swiss queer film festival after boycott threats. Screen News: Israeli studio Sipur, backed by Shari Redstone, has opened a London office as it expands its international film and TV slate. Live Music: Boy George has announced a second Israeli concert, dedicating it to survivors of the Nova music festival massacre.

Film: Switzerland’s Everyone’s Perfect queer film festival dropped Tell Me Everything, Israel’s Oscar entry, after boycott threats. The Ophir-winning drama had been scheduled for the Geneva festival. Music: Boy George has announced a second Israel concert dedicated to Nova festival survivors. On Screen: The new season of Israeli series Fauda reached Netflix’s top 10 in 42 countries, and an unlikely Haifa festival duet brought Israeli singer Yuval Raphael together with Iranian singer Gola, now living in exile. What’s On: Jerusalem’s arts calendar includes the group exhibition Into My Fall That Is Endless at Marie Gallery and Mikro Theater’s premiere of Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman, with English and Russian subtitles.