The Docaviv International Documentary Film Festival returns this year with a rich and diverse program of documentary cinema from Israel and around the world. In recent years, Polish documentary filmmaking has maintained a strong and consistent presence at the festival, reflecting its prominent position on the international scene. In 2024, for example, the film In the Rearview by Maciek Hamela received an award at the festival—further evidence of the recognition Polish filmmakers enjoy both in Israel and worldwide. Polish documentary cinema is distinguished by its combination of historical depth, social sensitivity, and a continuous search for a distinctive cinematic language.

The Polish Institute in Tel Aviv is pleased to present a selection of Polish films (as well as regional co-productions) featured in the 2026 edition of the festival.

The Big Chief

Director: Tomasz Wolski

The film tells the complex story of Leopold Trepper—a Polish Jew, leader of the “Red Orchestra” spy network, and one of the most intriguing figures of the 20th century. After World War II, Trepper becomes a target of persecution by the communist authorities in Poland. Through rare archival footage and a deeply personal narrative, the film explores the tension between heroism and political repression, as well as enduring antisemitism.

Traces

Directors: Alisa Kovalenko & Marysia Nikitiuk

A powerful co-production documenting the stories of six women who survived sexual violence during the war in Ukraine. Based on testimonies from members of SEMA UKRAINE, the film creates a poignant portrait of trauma, memory, and the struggle for justice.

Divia

Director: Dmytro Hreshko

A visually driven, dialogue-free film examining the environmental devastation in Ukraine caused by years of war. Through striking imagery, the film reflects on the relationship between nature and conflict, as well as the possibility of renewal.

The films presented this year reflect key trends in Polish and regional documentary cinema: a critical engagement with both the past and the present, creative use of archival materials, and a combination of personal testimony with broader political expression. Through stories that are both intimate and universal, they offer a nuanced perspective on contemporary Europe.

The Polish Institute in Tel Aviv invites Israeli audiences to discover Polish cinema as part of the festival and to take part in the cultural dialogue it inspires—on memory, responsibility, and identity in a changing world.