Running on Sand
Synopsis
Aumari, a young Eritrean refugee living in Israel, is about to be deported back to his home country. After a spontaneous escape attempt at the airport, he is mistaken for a Nigerian striker, who is supposed to arrive at the same time. Aumari seizes the opportunity and benefits for his change of identity as the new key acquisitions for the team of ‘Maccabi Netanya’. Despite the absence of any soccer talent, Aumari is able to cover-up and heal the divisions of his struggling team, while a tender romantic bond with charmingly unconventional daughter of the team owner is growing.
Credits
Director(s)
Adar Shafran
Producer(s)
Roni Abramowski, Moshe Edery, Adar Shafran, Peter Rommel
Script
Asaf Zelicovich, Yoav Hebel , Sarel Piterman
Cinematography
Daniel Miller
Cast
Chansela Mongoza, Kim Or Azulay, Tzvika Hadar, Michael Kabia Aharoni
Original Language
Hebrew, English, Tigrigna
Subtitles
Hebrew, English
Sales Agent
Picture Tree International
Festival Highlights
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WINNER
Audience Award for Best Narrative FeatureSan Francisco Jewish Film Festival2024 -
WINNER
Best of Fest Audience AwardPalm Springs International Film Festival2024 -
WINNER
Audience Award for Best Narrative FeatureBoca International Jewish Film Festival2024 -
WINNER
Audience AwardJxJ Festival2024 -
WINNER
Best FilmIsraeli Film Festival in Paris2024 -
WINNER
Best Debut FilmHaifa International Film Festival2023 -
WINNER
Best ScreenplayHaifa International Film Festival2023 -
NOMINEE
4 CategoriesIsraeli Academy Awards2023
Atlanta JFF, USA, Official Selection, 2024
Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema, USA, Official Selection, 2024
Philadelphia Israeli Film Festival, USA, Official Selection, 2024
Reviews
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"The movie hits the sweet spot between a truly light-hearted comedy and a real drama, with engaging characters you care about and funny situations, but with a strong narrative and a heartfelt message about treating people with respect, no matter where they are from."
- Hannah Brown, The Jerusalem Post
