Israeli Spotlight Film
In-Person Only: March 29
Nominated for the Israeli Academy Award for Best Film, RUNNING ON SAND is a feel-good tale of mistaken identity. Despite living legally in Israel for five years, Eritrean refugee, Aumari, faces deportation due to a technicality. After ducking immigration authorities at the airport, he is mistaken for a professional soccer player brought to Israel to save the struggling Maccabi Netanya football club. Despite having no soccer experience, he becomes the face of the franchise and must invigorate the team and their fanbase. Amid their quest for victory, he falls for the daughter of the team’s owner and worries if his true identity will be uncovered. Starring the charismatic Congo-born actor Chancela Mongoza and a cast of African migrant actors, RUNNING ON SAND has both humor and heart and sheds light on the plight of refugees and asylum seekers in Israel.
“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.”—The Jerusalem Post
Director Bio: View on IMDB
Adar Shafran is an Israeli film director known for TWELVE POINTS (2019) and MAKTUB (2017) and as the producer of GREENER PASTURES (2022), FORGIVENESS (2019) and THE WEDDING PLAN (2016), most of which have played at SJFF.
Sponsors: Elissa Burke + Alec Stais
