The DocuText festival, an annual celebration of documentary filmmaking, is set to return to Jerusalem from August 16-20, 2026. This year's theme, 'Uncertainty', reflects the national mood amid international unrest. The festival, now in its 11th year, promises a rich program of screenings, premieres, meetings with filmmakers, workshops, and special exhibits, offering a unique glimpse into the world of documentary art. One of the highlights is the premiere of 'The Sixteenth Sheep: The Reunion', a music-themed documentary about the iconic Israeli album of the same name. This album, a collaboration between author/lyricist Yehonatan Geffen and musician/composer Yoni Rechter, has become a beloved classic, with its songs still resonating with children and adults alike. The festival will also showcase 'Aviv', a documentary about Aviv Geffen, the son of Yehonatan Geffen, marking a decade of extraordinary fame. The closing night performance will feature Aviv Geffen and his band, HaTa'uyot, live in the garden. Several events will focus on writers and their archives, including 'Things Were Like That', a documentary about the life and work of celebrated Israeli novelist Meir Shalev, and 'Assi's Drafts', a series of displays featuring items from the archive of the late actor/director Assi Dayan. The festival will also feature a number of English-language documentaries, such as 'Sapiro v. Ford: The Jew Who Sued Henry Ford', a story of a Jewish lawyer's legal battle against Henry Ford, and 'Safe Room', a harrowing account of a doctor and his wife sheltering four families during the October 7th events. 'We Met at Grossinger’s' explores the legendary resort in New York's Catskills, while 'Siri Hustvedt – Dance Around the Self' offers a portrait of the Norwegian-American novelist and essayist. 'The Campaign' investigates the battle over narratives about Israel, Gaza, and the Jewish people, and 'Shalom' takes an unexpected look at the impact of war through the story of a rhinoceros at Jerusalem's Biblical Zoo. The festival also includes 'Jane Elliott Against the World', 'A Goodnight Kiss', and 'Ivry Who?', among other diverse and thought-provoking documentaries. The DocuText festival is a must-see event for anyone interested in documentary filmmaking, offering a unique blend of cultural, historical, and social insights. For more information, visit the website at docutext.nli.org.il/en.
