Running on Sand

  • Israel
  • Feature
  • 2023
  • 104 min.
  • Director(s): Adar Shafran
  • Producer(s): Roni Abramowski, Moshe Edery, Adar Shafran, Peter Rommel

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.

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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

  • WINNER

    Best of Fest Audience Award
    Palm Springs International Film Festival
    2024
  • WINNER

    Best Narrative Feature
    Centre Film Festival
    2024
  • WINNER

    Best Actor (Chancela Mavua Mongoza)
    Centre Film Festival
    2024
  • WINNER

    Best Film
    Fairhope Film Festival
    2024
  • WINNER

    Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature
    San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
    2024
  • WINNER

    Audience Award
    JxJ Festival
    2024
  • WINNER

    Best Film
    Israeli Film Festival in Paris
    2024
  • WINNER

    Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature
    Boca International Jewish Film Festival
    2024
  • WINNER

    Best Debut Film
    Haifa International Film Festival
    2023
  • WINNER

    Best Screenplay
    Haifa International Film Festival
    2023
  • NOMINEE

    4 Categories
    Israeli Academy Awards
    2023

Atlanta JFF, USA, Official Selection, 2024

Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema, USA, Official Selection, 2024

Philadelphia Israeli Film Festival, USA, Official Selection, 2024

Fairhope Film Festival, USA, Official Selection, 2024

Reviews

  • "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