Israel and New Zealand Sign Film Cooperation Deal

Image by Atomic Falafel Official Poster

By Maia Efrem March 3, 2016

Israel and New Zealand have signed a co-production treaty giving film makers access and funding as incentives to produce film, TV animation and digital productions in the two countries.

, the treaty was signed in Wellington, New Zealand by New Zealand’s Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Maggie Barry and Israeli Ambassador, Yosef Livne.

“(The treaty will) see the opening of a new door, through which the world-renowned talent and successful film industry of New Zealand and the effervescent film industry in Israel will begin a joint march,” said Livne.

The treaty followed the success of “Atomic Falafel,” a co-production venture between Israel,Germany and New Zealand. Written and directed by Israel’s Dror Shaul, the film was produced by New Zealand’s Matthew Metcalfe and was granted support by the New Zealand Film Commission.

Watch the official “Atomic Falafel” trailer (with English subtitles) here:

Maia Efrem is the former research editor and assistant to the editor and was also responsible for the Forward’s annual Salary Survey. Previously she served as the editor of Blognik Beat, a blog written by students who emigrated from or have ties to the Former Soviet Union. Maia is a graduate of Hunter College and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.