Beyond the headlines, beyond the conflict and noise, there’s another Israel. A place of storytellers and musicians, of dreamers, makers, and communities rooted in meaning and trust. Each film in this series opens a door to a different world: textured, intimate, deeply human. These are real stories — tender, layered, and full of life. We hope they bring you a fresh perspective on Israel — and a quiet kind of joy.
About DocuNation
Enjoy two award-winning Israeli documentary films with English subtitles each month, followed by live conversations with the filmmakers.
The carefully selected films illuminate fascinating aspects of contemporary and historical Israel. After each screening, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the creative process and the films’ subjects directly from the filmmakers and ask them your questions about their work.
All of the funds earmarked for this project go directly to Israeli documentary filmmakers at this difficult time, when they encounter global cultural boycotts. Our partnership with DocuNation is available exclusively to members of our reader support group, The Times of Israel Community.
We’re collaborating with renowned documentary filmmaker Yonatan Nir, who will host the discussions with the filmmakers.
If you’re already a member of the Times of Israel Community, you can access the DocuNation films here:
Upcoming Films
Spinoza: 6 Reasons for the Excommunication of the Philosopher
2022 | 54 Minutes | Directed by David Ofek | June 18-25, 2026
The excommunication of Baruch Spinoza, the Dutch Jewish philosopher who revolutionized modern thought, is a formative, mysterious event in the understanding of his work. Director David Ofek takes us on an intercontinental journey tracing six reasons for Spinoza’s excommunication. Between Amsterdam, the Hague, New York, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv, he makes some surprising discoveries, and traces the figure of a man who continues to intrigue our culture with his ideas, which remain revolutionary, spiritual, and radical to this day. This is the 17th film created for The Hebrews project.
Watch the trailer:
Live or Die in Entebbe
2012 | 52 Minutes | Directed by Eyal Boers | July 2-9, 2026
A moving documentary about the 1976 terrorist hijacking of an Air France flight and Israel’s military rescue raid, as told by Jonathan Khayat, the nephew of one of the hostages who did not survive. The film chronicles the events that unfolded, day-by-day, and uncovers some little-known and shocking back stories while shedding light on the four passengers who did not survive Israel’s rescue. A sensitive and riveting look at those for whom Israel’s most heroic moment was their family’s greatest tragedy.
Watch the trailer:
1341 Frames of Love and War
2022 | 89 Minutes | Directed by Ran Tal | July 16-23, 2026
“The most horrible things are sometimes aesthetic,” says Israel’s most celebrated war photographer Micha Bar-Am, who for decades was the country’s photo correspondent for The New York Times.
For a year and a half, he and his archivist wife Orna allowed director Ran Tal (The Museum, SFJFF 2018) to enter their vast archive. As they mine this extraordinary trove of over 500,000 photos, the film seamlessly intertwines an historical narrative of a country with Bar-Am’s personal reflections on the psychological and personal toll of bearing witness to multiple wars. While the protagonist is generally quite forthcoming—frequently interrupted, corrected, or scolded by his wife—there are certain subjects which Bar-Am flatly refuses to discuss.
Watch the trailer:
Strange Birds
2024 | 65 Minutes | Directed by Shakked Auerbach | July 30 – August 6, 2026
A phone call wakes me up early in the morning. My older brother got into trouble. Again. After another entanglement, I realize that I can no longer ignore the problems that follow him around, and which seem to be taking over my life. I use the camera to get answers from my family and a wall of silence melts away. Through a mix of amusing, intense, and eye-opening encounters, I begin to understand how relations in my family, especially with my mother, were influenced by an unspoken expression – Autism. Strange Birds is an intimate film that reveals an unspoken story about special parenting, autistic parenting, and the children who grow up in its shadow.
Watch the trailer:
Frequently Asked Questions
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- Does the series cost money?
Nope, the series is included in your ToI Community membership – there is no additional cost. If you still need to sign up for the ToI Community, our reader support group, click here. - Do I need to register for DocuNation?
ToI Community members will be sent an email before each session — screenings and online Q&As — with a link and the date/time information. - How long is each film?
Each film is between 50 and 90 minutes. Each live discussion will be around an hour. - Can I access previous films and discussions?
You can only watch the films during the 7-day period scheduled for each. We do, however, record every webinar discussion with the filmmakers, which you can watch at your convenience, even if you sign up after the series starts. - Where can I send any questions for DocuNation?
We are happy to answer any additional questions you may have. Just email us. - If I have a technical issue related to DocuNation, who do I speak to?
Please email DocuNation tech support.
- Does the series cost money?
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