Cinema Sabaya chronicles a fictional group of Arab and Jewish women, municipal workers in the Israeli city of Hadera, taking part in a video workshop run by Tel Aviv filmmaker Rona (Dana Ivgy from Zero Motivation). The participants are asked to film their lives. As each woman shares her footage, beliefs and preconceptions are challenged.

Based on the director’s experience as a teacher, the film presents a deft and heartfelt portrait of art’s capacity to connect disparate communities. Winner of five Ophir awards, including Best Film and Best Director, Cinema Sabaya was Israel’s submission to the Academy Awards.