Between family and front line: Omer Manor’s films

His love of documentary film is a very personal story that started small: when his grandmother turned 99, the Israeli Omer Manor decided to document the last days of her life. It was to be a memory for eternity. And the beginning of a passion. “I never went to film school, I studied psychology. But after filming my grandmother during her final days, I knew that was what I wanted to do with my life,” recalls Manor.

With 17 years in the film industry under his belt, Manor these days is an established cinematographer and film-maker. In terms of topic, his works move between war zones and personal spaces. “Since 7 October 2023I have filmed solely in Israel/Palastine, for example in the West Bank or Rafah. As an Israeli, I have a responsibility to go to these places where so few people are going just now, especially when atrocities and injustices are happening on a daily basis.” 

In 2025, his documentary “Holding Liat”, directed by Brandon Kramer and shot by Omer Manor alongside Yoni Brook, premiered at the Berlinale, where it won the documentary award. “My grandfather was born in Germany so I have a personal connection to the country. It’s nice that the film was so well received here,” explains the film-maker. The film portrays a family’s fight to bring home their daughter who had been taken hostage on 7 October.

Berlinale Talents: 200 talents from 120 countries

A year after presenting his “Holding Liat” at the Berlinale, Omer Manor was back in Berlin to take part in Berlinale Talents, the film festival’s talent development programme. Since 2003, the Berlinale has been inviting talented film-makers to lectures, workshops and networking events. 3,438 applications were submitted for the 200 places on offer. “It is wonderful to get together here with so many talented people with such different backgrounds and influences,” says Manor, whose greatest achievements include an Emmy for his contribution to ABC’s Middle East coverage.