Bedouin Drama Sand Storm Is Israel’s Oscar Entry

October 9, 2016 | Sand Storm, a family drama based in a Bedouin community in the Negev Desert, is Israel’s entry for best foreign-language film for the Oscars. In January, the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce its 2017 shortlist of foreign-language film nominees. Israel hopes its first-ever Arabic-language submission will be on that list. The film tells the story of two Bedouin women struggling to change the patriarchal rules of their society. Sand Storm won six Ophir Awards – the Oscars equivalent in Israel – from the Israeli Academy of Film and Television. Honors included best director for Elite Zexer and best film.  Sand Storm is Israel’s 49th submission for the best foreign-language film category at the Oscars. Ten of these films have made the shortlist – the last in 2012, Footnote by Joseph Cedar. The Oscars will be held in Los Angeles on February 26, 2016