Israeli Directors Association

Israeli Directors Association
Name	Israeli Directors Association
Native name	איגוד הבמאים הישראלי
Founded	20th century
Location	Tel Aviv, Israel
Headquarters	Tel Aviv
Region served	Israel
Language	Hebrew

Israeli Directors Association is a professional body representing film, television, and theater directors in Israel. It operates within the Israeli cultural sector to promote directors' artistic rights, negotiate collective agreements, and facilitate professional development for members. The association engages with Israeli institutions, international festivals, and industry organizations to advance directors' creative and economic interests.

History

The association emerged amid the post-World War II expansion of Israeli cinema linked to figures such as Yitzhak Ben-Nun, Menahem Golan, Amos Gitai, Ephraim Kishon and Uri Zohar and institutions like Shalom Aleichem Cultural Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv University and Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design. Early organizational efforts paralleled developments at Israel Broadcasting Authority, Channel 2 (Israeli TV channel), Knesset cultural committees and festivals such as Jerusalem Film Festival and Haifa International Film Festival. The association negotiated its first industry agreements during shifts in Israeli media regulation involving the Communications Ministry (Israel), Ministry of Culture and Sport (Israel) and collective bargaining frameworks seen in unions like Histadrut. Over subsequent decades it responded to the rise of independent cinema tied to filmmakers like Joseph Cedar, Nadav Lapid, Ronit Elkabetz and institutions such as Sam Spiegel Film and Television School and Sundance Film Festival, while engaging with broadcasters HOT (Israel), Keshet Media Group and streaming entrants including Netflix.

Mission and Activities

The association's mission focuses on defending directors' rights, improving contractual standards, and promoting Israeli directing talent in venues like Cannes Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, Venice Film Festival and Tribeca Film Festival. It provides legal advisory services referencing legislation such as the Copyright Law, 2007 (Israel) and collective agreements influenced by precedent from organizations like Directors Guild of America and British Film Institute. Activities include negotiating with producers represented by bodies like the Producers Association (Israel), coordinating with broadcasters (Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation), and partnering with cultural foundations such as the Israel Film Fund and Jerusalem Municipality. The association also issues position papers on policy debates involving the Ministry of Finance (Israel) cultural budgets and international co-production treaties like agreements with Arte and Eurimages.

Membership and Governance

Membership criteria have historically reflected career milestones recognized by institutions like Sami Rohr Prize and selections to festivals such as Cannes Directors' Fortnight. The governance structure typically includes an elected board drawing members with credits in productions aired on Kan 11, commissioned by companies like Reshet, or presented at venues including Haifa Theatre. The board liaises with legal counsel experienced in cases before bodies like the Tel Aviv District Court and negotiates collective bargaining with employer organizations and producer guilds. Committees address diversity, safety on sets in cooperation with Israeli Film and Television Safety Association and international relations with counterparts such as the European Film Academy.

Awards and Festivals

The association participates in award frameworks connected to the Ophir Awards, Israeli Academy of Film and Television, Carmel Film and Television Awards and city-sponsored festivals including Tel Aviv Cinematheque events. It supports national submissions to Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film, nurturing projects that have competed at Berlin Golden Bear and Venice Golden Lion. The association also organizes showcases and retrospectives in partnership with institutions like Israel Museum, Cinematheque Jerusalem and international platforms like Rotterdam International Film Festival to highlight members' work and promote cross-border collaborations with festivals such as Locarno Festival.

Education, Training, and Professional Development

Programs for members and emerging directors include masterclasses led by established figures such as Ari Folman, Ruth Diskin and Shlomi Elkabetz and workshops affiliated with schools like Sapir Academic College, Tel Aviv University Film and Television Department and Beit Zvi School of the Performing Arts. Training addresses directing for television formats commissioned by Keshet 12 and YES (Israel) and features development labs modeled on initiatives by Sundance Institute and Berlinale Talents. The association coordinates internships and mentorships with production houses like Open Dor Media and supports script development through partnerships with organizations such as Women in Film and Television Israel and Greenhouse Script Lab.

Industry Relations and Advocacy

The association engages in advocacy on issues including compensation, residuals, and moral rights, negotiating with broadcasters (Kan 11, Reshet), producers (Mivtachim Productions), and funding bodies (Israel Film Fund, Ministry of Culture and Sport (Israel)). It collaborates with legal and policy entities such as the Israeli Bar Association and petitions administrative bodies like the Council for Arts and Culture on matters impacting directors’ intellectual property and working conditions. International advocacy includes networking with the International Federation of Film Directors and participation in co-production markets like Cannes Co-Production Market and MIPTV to secure distribution and financing for members.

Notable Members and Alumni

Prominent directors associated with the Israeli directing community include Ari Folman, Amos Gitai, Joseph Cedar, Nadav Lapid, Ronit Elkabetz, Eran Kolirin, Samuel Maoz, Rama Burshtein, Yossi Madmoni, Dror Moreh, Eytan Fox, Menahem Golan, Ephraim Kishon, Uri Zohar, Etgar Keret, Sarit Nessel, Hadas Ben Aroya, Haim Tabakman, Rami Heuberger, Shlomi Elkabetz, Gila Almagor, Keren Yedaya, Avi Nesher, Hagai Levi, Matan Yair, Tal Granit, Sivan Levy, Eldad Prives, Rona Sela, Zohar Shtrauss, Yossi Weinstein, Yariv Mozer, Keren Ben Rafael, Noa Berman, Michal Vinik, Eyal Halfon, Rafi Pitts, Michal Aviad, Davy Rothbart, Oren Gerner, Tamar Tal-Anati, Danae Elon, Nadav Lapid, Lior Ashkenazi, Ayelet Zurer, Gal Gadot, Haim Bouzaglo, Yasmin Levy, Tom Shoval, Neta Riskin, Ayelet Menahemi, Shira Geffen, Boaz Yakin, Guy Nattiv, Kobi Farag, Rita Jahanforuz, Uri Singer, Yonatan Weber, Alon Banari.

Category:Film organizations in Israel