
Drama
THE SEA
הים
About the film
Twelve-year-old Khaled has lived his entire life just miles from the Mediterranean, yet he has never seen the sea. When Israeli authorities deny him entry at a border checkpoint, his disappointment turns into a dangerous resolve. Determined to reach the water, Khaled sneaks across the border alone, embarking on a high-stakes journey through a landscape where he is considered a trespasser.
As Khaled chases the horizon, his father, Ribhi, desperately tries to trace his path. Driven by a father's love, Ribhi risks his job and his own freedom to find his son before the authorities do. SEA is a gripping, poignant drama about the boundaries that divide us and a child’s simple, powerful dream to reach the shore.

CAST AND CREW
YEAR: 2025 DURATION: 93 MIN LANGUAGE: ARABIC AND HEBREW ,WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES DIRECTOR: SHAI CARMELI POLLAK WRITER: SHAI CARMELI POLLAK PRODOCERS: MAJDAL FILMS ,BAHER AGBARIYA CAST: MOHAMMED GAZAOUI, KHALIFA NATOUR, MARLENE BAJJALI, HILA SORJON
This screening is sponsered by

MEET THE FILMMAKER
Shai Carmeli‑Pollak is the acclaimed Israeli writer‑director of The Sea (2025), a poignant drama about a young Palestinian boy’s quest to see the Mediterranean for the first time. His film blends neorealist humanity with emotional depth, earning five Ophir Awards including Best Film and becoming Israel’s official entry for the 2026 Oscars. Carmeli‑Pollak’s work is celebrated for its sensitive, character‑driven storytelling and powerful social resonance.





