Tel Aviv’s 14th Docaviv documentary film festival will focus on the anti-capitalist protest movements that have swept the world in the past year, by offering free entrance to screenings of films on activism and social protest, followed by talks and debates. Docaviv is the only film festival in Israel dedicated exclusively to documentary cinema and is Tel Aviv’s largest film festival. It is considered amongst the world’s most respected film festivals. Each year some of the best documentary films produced in Israel and internationally, are carefully selected by professional committees, comprised of members of the film and television industry.

This year’s Docaviv is being held in cooperation with the Cinema of the People, which was established in Israel in the wake of the country’s cost-of-living protests last summer. Docaviv’s artistic director Sinai Abt said the focus on social activism resulted from trends in the documentary film industry and also from the festival organizers’ desire to “appeal to the interest of the public.”  More than 90 Israeli and international films will be showcased in the festival, which will include an Israeli, an international and a student competition.

The closing event will take place in the city’s Habima Square, where a feature film – “Under African Skies” – will receive its premiere. The film accompanies singer Paul Simon on a trip to South Africa for a 25-year reunion of the musicians that worked on his landmark “Graceland” album.