A conflict can span more lifetimes one is able to count. It can reverberate through histories both real and imagined, from the assassination of a prime minister to a chance encounter with a stubborn donkey. When we finally have to face it, what choices do we make and what do we hold on to?

As part of this year’s focus on Israel, we are highlighting a number of shorts directed by the storied alumni of the Steve Tisch School of Film and Television. Founded in 1972, the Tel Aviv University has nurtured many of Israel's most prominent filmmakers, scholars and critics, whose feature films will also be screening as part of this year’s Black Nights Film Festival.

This selection of films does not only chart the importance of the Steve Tisch School of Film and Television on their 50th birthday, but will provide a rare opportunity to see the early works of astounding filmmakers with powerful stories.