By JULIE STEIGERWALDIsraelis fly kites on Rosh Hashana(photo credit: REUTERS)CENTER The Tel Aviv Cinematheque and the Chinese Embassy are teaming up to present a Chinese film festival June 25 to 29.The cinematheque will screen six films during the week. The festival will also run in cinemas in Haifa June 26 to 30; in Jerusalem June 28 to July 6; and Sderot on June 28.The films to be screened at the festival are Night Peacock; Hero Is Back: Monkey King; Aftershock; Dr. Rosenthal; Three; and Born in China.The event, which coincides with this year’s celebration of 25 years of Beijing-Jerusalem relations, aims to familiarize the Israeli audience with some of the current top screen productions in China, along with some of the country’s most recognizable actors. The festival comes as China’s burgeoning film industry globalizes and spreads to the West.“Only a small part of the rich traditions of China’s film industry has been revealed to the West,” says festival director Ron Fogel. “With the Chinese film industry becoming one of the largest in the world, it is important to present contemporary Chinese films to an Israeli audience. We hope that this week of Chinese films will help advance cultural partnerships between Israel and China.”Kite festival to fly high over Jaffa Kite fliers of all levels of experience are invited to take part in a kite festival on Friday at the Jaffa Slope Park as part of the annual Tel Aviv-Jaffa Celebrates the Sea. The event will run from 4 to 6:30 p.m.Entrance is free and open to the public. Kite kits can be purchased on the day of the event for NIS 20. For information: www.facebook.com/events/260671597741542/Student film fest to take the big screen in Tel Aviv
The Tel Aviv Cinematheque will host the annual Israeli Short Independent Film Competition on June 21.The student film festival aims to provide a platform for independent short creation, which constitutes a fresh and innovative voice in the Israeli film industry. Of the 90 films submitted to the contest this year, 15 were selected for screening during the festival. The event, organized by the Tel Aviv Arts Council, is geared toward patrons in their 20s and 30s.Doors open at 8:45 p.m. Tickets are on sale for NIS 20. For online ticket purchase: www.eventbrite.com/e/invitation-international- student-film-festival-short-film-competition-june-21- tickets-35331949813Tel Aviv mixes it up with a cocktail festivalTel Aviv’s best bartenders and mixologists will gather alongside revelers at the city’s Hatahana complex on July 1 for a celebration of cocktails. The second annual Tel Aviv Cocktail Festival will showcase some of the newest techniques and flavors used in bars around the city to create the likable libations.Doors open at 5 p.m. Entrance is free; the cocktails must be purchased. For further details: www.facebook.com/events/1139448246128205/SOUTH Couple found dead in Eilat hotel roomA couple in their 20s or 30s were found dead this week in their hotel room in Eilat. According to initial assessments this past Sunday, the pair ended their lives in a double suicide. However, police were later leaning toward the possibility of a murder-suicide.Police said a letter had been located at the scene at Herod’s Plaza Hotel that detailed the reasons why the couple had ended their lives. Yet following initial investigations and forensic sweeps, authorities said they were looking into all directions in the investigation.NORTH Artists workshop by the sea A three-day artists workshop will set up camp at the Dor Holiday Village July 23 to 25.Directed by multidisciplinary artist Itay Ganot, the ARTraining Camp explores new techniques that correspond with the contemporary age of technology and information. The event is also designed to provide a space for networking and collaborative opportunities.The workshop will examine the tools for expressing live performance art in light of modern-day changes and their influence on art in general. The ARTraining Camp is designed for live performance artists, including directors, actors, dancers, choreographers, dancing/acting teachers and every type of visual artist. The course includes artistic work in nature, including the seashore, and in the studio.Full board and accommodation are available for participants. An early registration discount is available until July 3. For more information: 052-652-3236; yuvalgetroyer@gmail.com; or www.itayganot.com.