ISRAELISM

Simone Zimmerman and Eitan are two young American Jews raised to defend and love Israel unconditionally. Eitan joins the Israeli military, while Simone becomes an activist on American college campuses. When they witness the treatment of Palestinians firsthand, both are deeply shaken and begin to question the beliefs about Israel and Jewish identity that shaped their upbringing.

They join a growing movement of young American Jews challenging the older generation over Israel’s central place in American Judaism and demanding freedom and equality for Palestinians. Through their personal journeys, alongside the perspectives of activists, educators and prominent Jewish and Palestinian voices, the film explores a widening generational divide over Israel, Palestine and contemporary Jewish identity.

Directed by Erin Axelman & Sam Eilertsen
Screenplay Erin Axelman Sam Eilertsen
Featuring Simone Zimmerman Eitan, Peter Beinart Noam Chomsky Cornel West
Music Cody Westheimer
Cinematography Sam Eilertsen
Editing Tony Hale
Production Company Tikkun Olam Productions
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival
2023 | Feature Competition — World Premiere
Arizona International Film Festival
2023 | Feature Documentary Competition
Best Documentary
Dallas International Film Festival
2023 | Documentary Competition
Brooklyn Film Festival
2023 | Documentary Feature — East Coast Premiere
Spirit Award — Feature Documentary
San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
2023 | Official Selection
Audience Award — Best Documentary Feature (ex aequo)
Tallgrass Film Festival
2023 | Documentary Feature Competition
Best Documentary Feature
Other Israel Film Festival — New York
2023 | Official Selection
United Nations Association Film Festival — UNAFF
2023 | Official Selection
CPH:DOX — Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival
2024 | International Premiere
Official Selection
Chicago Palestine Film Festival
2024 | Official Selection
Yesh! Jewish Film Festival — Zürich
2024 | Official Selection
The Indie Awards — Slamdance
2024 | Documentary Features — Jury Awards
Nomination — Best Documentary Feature

3 FACES

ON THE EDGE