Israel candidate for the Oscars with a film on a Palestinian teenager

A great winner of the Ophir Awards-the Israeli equivalent of the César-The Sea was shot in Arabic and Hebrew, and produced by Baher Agbariya, himself Palestinian.

The conflict to the Middle East could well invite itself on the red carpet of the 2026 Oscars.

Israel has chosen The Seaa drama in Arabic signed by Israeli filmmaker Shai Carmeli Pollak, to represent the country in the race for the best international film.

A strong choice in symbol, since the film tells the poignant story of a Palestinian teenager who risks his life to see the Tel Aviv Sea for the first time.

The Sea Triomphe at the Ophir Awards – the Israeli equivalent of the César – won the prize for the best film, the best scenario and also the price of the best actor for the young Muhammad Gazawi (13), who won his very first role.

On the Ophir Awards scene, the ceremony was obviously very political: many winners displayed black t-shirts struck with pacifist slogans like “A child is a child” (in Hebrew and Arabic) or “End the war”while others displayed images of the hostages that are still detained. And the producer of The Sea, Baher Agbariya, himself Palestinian, delivered a very strong speech: “”

This film was born from the love of humanity and cinema, and its message is unique: the right of each child to live and dream in peace, without siege, without fear and without war. It is a fundamental right to which we will not give up. “

The young Muhammad Gazawi also marked the spirits, simply declaring: “I hope that all children can live and dream without wars.”

For Assaf Amir, president of the Israeli cinema academy that chose The Sea To apply for Oscars: “Israel once again demonstrates the relevance of his cinema, capable of responding to complex and painful realities. The Sea is a film full of empathy, for all human beings and in particular for his hero, a Palestinian child whose only dream is to see the sea. “

Turned in Arabic and Hebrew, The Sea mixes artistic and humanist gesture. No release date in France yet.