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
There Is No Other Place
2021 | 72 Minutes | Directed by Anat Tel | September 24 – October 1, 2026
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem, the most sacred place in Christendom, is shared by six different Christian denominations: Orthodox, Catholics, Armenians, Copts, Syrians, and the Ethiopians. They must all navigate the ancient and fragile Status Quo that governs the church and its shared spaces.
The guardians of the key to the Church are two Muslim families, both of which claim the right to be the keepers of the important key. Each of them has a credible story, as well as original documents given to them centuries ago. Johnny, an Israeli police officer, is responsible for keeping the peace in the Church.
Watch the trailer:
Women of Valor
2021 | 77 Minutes | Directed by Anna Somershaf | October 8-15, 2026
In the Haredi community, a woman’s obligation is to marry and bear children, and serve as primary breadwinner while her husband studies religious texts. Haredi political parties in Israel forbid women to seek public office. Fed up with the status quo, Esty Shushan is fighting to change that. She co-founds a nonprofit, Nivcharot, calling for representation of Orthodox women in the Knesset — taking their case to the UN women’s rights committee and the Israeli Supreme Court.
To prepare the next generation for leadership roles, Nivcharot establishes a program to mentor young women and get the first female name on the ballot. But change comes with a cost, as Esty’s activism brings threats, suspicion and online harassment. Ostracized as a “fake Haredi,” she must reconcile deep-rooted frustration over ultra-Orthodox life with her efforts to bring the silent voices of women to the center of Israeli discourse.
Watch the trailer:
Lost Angeles
2022 | 76 Minutes | Directed by Sharon Yaish and Golan Rise | October 22-29, 2026
Yosef Hurriye is a kind of modern Sallah Shabati.
He is 60 years old, his life is in shambles, and he can barely make ends meet repairing watches in the neglected, peripheral city of Kiryat Malachi. However, when he receives a threatening report from the municipality that could force him to close his store, he decides to take a drastic step. Against all odds, Yosef runs for the local elections, hoping to become the city’s new mayor.
‘Lost Angeles’ is a feature musical with a documentary hero who believes that it is still possible to make a change.
Watch the trailer:
The European Dream
2023 | 75 Minutes | Directed by Mooly Landsman | November 5-12, 2026
Julius Klausner and Robert Graetz, German Jewish industrialists, defied the odds to build their economic empires from scratch. In 2016, a letter listing looted artworks from WWII brings their two grandchildren on a poignant journey to reclaim their lost art. Their lawyer, Fritz Enderlein, is an 88-year-old German lawyer who fought in the Wehrmacht and now works tirelessly to restore looted works of art to their rightful owners, decades after they were taken. Together, they navigate a complex web of bureaucracy, concealment, and denial as they delve deeper into the world of art.
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 upon request, 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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