Rotem Moria Foundation

The Rotem Moria Foundation (Hebrew: קרן רותם מוריה) was an Israeli non-profit association dedicated to encouraging cinema and supporting young filmmakers. It was established in March 2005 as a private fund, named in memory of Rotem Moshe Moria, an Israeli filmmaker and cinema enthusiast who was killed at age 27 in the Taba Hilton bombing on 7 October 2004. The foundation operated without public funding, relying on private donations, and closed in 2020. The foundation's core activity was an annual short-film competition open to young creators. Winners received cash grants and professional mentorship. Initially focused on narrative and experimental student films, it later expanded to genre competitions in horror, science fiction, fantasy, and the supernatural. The foundation also produced commemorative films, including "Against All Odds 2" (כנגד כל הסיכויים 2), a 40-minute documentary-narrative hybrid based on characters created by Moria in his high-school final film, and a 2013 short film adaptation of a story Moria wrote in ninth grade. Over its 15 years, the foundation supported dozens of short films, some of which screened at international festivals such as Screamfest in Hollywood. It collaborated with partners like the Israeli video site Flix and held its annual award ceremonies at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque. The foundation was led by Moria's sister, Nesham Moria-Shamir, and his uncle, Shaya Zilberman, with a lectors committee headed by Miki Cohen. Its legacy is that of a small but influential private fund that gave early opportunities to emerging Israeli filmmakers.

The Rotem Moria Foundation was established in March 2005 as a private fund, following the death of Rotem Moshe Moria in the Taba Hilton bombing on 7 October 2004. Moria, born in 1977, had studied cinema at Ironi Aleph High School in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, where he directed the short film "Against All Odds" (כנגד כל הסיכויים), which later became the foundation's subtitle. After serving in the Navy, he worked in computers but continued to pursue cinema. He was 27 when he was killed. His family and friends founded the association to commemorate him by supporting cinematic creation. Initial funding of about 150,000 NIS was raised from private donors to finance short student films in narrative and experimental fields. The foundation was led by Moria's sister, Nesham Moria-Shamir, and his uncle, Shaya Zilberman. The lectors committee was headed by Miki Cohen, then director of the cinema department at Sapir Academic College and chairman of the association. Other members included producers Roni Yaakov, Danny Ben Menachem, and Uri Yoeli, who had been Moria's cinema teacher. In its early years, the foundation approached schools and film institutions, inviting young creators to submit scripts for short films. Selected productions received financial aid and professional mentorship. Emphasis was placed on works with unconventional approaches that did not fit the usual support tracks of major film funds. In 2006, the foundation initiated the "Oh, Horror" project, producing four short horror films: "I Will Rest in My Grave" by Guy Berman and Natalie Dovzhen, "Confession" by Adi Reis and Haim Pinkenson, "Buy Bonus" by Shai Sharf and Yael Oron, and "Good That You Came Home" by Lior Hefetz and Tal Oren. The films premiered at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque, with actors such as Mohammad Bakri, Lucy Dubinchik, and Eyal Shechter volunteering. Some films screened abroad, including "Good That You Came Home" at Screamfest in Hollywood. In 2008, the foundation held a competition for short films in horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and supernatural genres. Six films reached the final, and "Another Year" by Naomi Weiner won first place. The six films aired on MGM channel, and two represented the foundation at festivals in Zurich and Amsterdam. In 2009, "Evil Fridge" (מקרררשע), a horror comedy by Ella Klay, won first prize of 7,500 NIS. Second place went to "Thirst" by Roy Shalem, third to "Dimensional Meltdown" by Ofer Padot, and the audience award to "Have a Nice Trip" by Moran Shahrbani. The competition was held in partnership with Flix, and awards were given at the annual event in memory of Moria at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque. In 2011, "Time" by Eli Shrem won first place and 10,000 NIS. Second place went to "Where Is Alice" by Amit Ruderman, third to "Apatheia" by Rona Horiner Rosen. The audience award went to "Delicatessen" by Chino Almizrak and Miko Ben Porat. Dozens of films were submitted, and the final event was at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque. In December 2012, more than twenty short films participated. "Psycho Boy" by Adam Robson won first place, "The Black Hand" second, "Mobius Edge" third, and the audience award went to "Trapped". In addition to supporting young creators, the foundation produced the documentary-narrative film "Against All Odds 2", about 40 minutes long, combining documentary and narrative segments based on two characters created by Moria in his high-school final film. It was directed by Tal Aleh from a script by Gil Klian. In 2013, the foundation released a short film based on a story called "Bench" (ספסל), written by Moria in ninth grade. The film was adapted by director and editor Guy Berdach, screenwriter Gil Klian, and musician Uri Klian. The foundation closed in 2020.

• 2020

  The foundation closes.

• 2013

  The foundation releases the short film "Bench" (ספסל), based on a story Moria wrote in ninth grade.

• 2012

  More than twenty short films participate in the December competition; "Psycho Boy" wins first place.

• 2011

  "Time" wins first prize of 10,000 NIS.

• 2009

  "Evil Fridge" wins first prize of 7,500 NIS in the foundation's competition.

• 2008

  A short film competition in horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and supernatural genres is held; "Another Year" wins first place.

• 2006

  The foundation initiates the "Oh, Horror" project, producing four short horror films.

• 2005

  The Rotem Moria Foundation is established in March as a private fund.

• 2004

  Rotem Moshe Moria is killed in the Taba Hilton bombing on 7 October.

A private, non-profit fund supporting unconventional and emerging Israeli filmmakers outside mainstream film-funding tracks.

• Annual short film competition

  Competition for young filmmakers with cash grants and professional mentorship.

• Horror, sci-fi, fantasy and supernatural genre competitions

  Specialized competitions for genre short films.

• "Against All Odds 2" (כנגד כל הסיכויים 2)

  A 40-minute documentary-narrative commemorative film.

• "Bench" (ספסל)

  A 2013 short film based on a story by Rotem Moria.

1. 1Official website homepagerotemfund.blogspot.com
2. 2Wikidata entrywikidata.org
3. 3Hebrew Wikipedia articlehe.wikipedia.org