'Machsom', the Hebrew word for 'Checkpoint', tells the story of Yaniv Greenblatt, a barely 19 Israeli soldier stationed at one of the most dangerous such checkpoints along the West Bank. Yaniv has just one more year to finish his mandatory service in the Israel Defense Forces. He would like to be a pacifist and struggles to be fair to the Palestinians, but has to contend with the prying eyes of Sgt. David Melamed, and his other superiors. The problems Yaniv faces at home are no easier. His mother is a wheelchair bound hard-right-winger due to the same terrorist attack that killed her husband. Avi, YanivÍs younger brother, seems to be drifted in the same direction. The story centers on the day Yaniv goes to pick up his brother at school but finds Avi and several other kids bullying Mohammed, an Arab Israeli boy who lives with his Palestinian father across the green line. MohammedÍs father, Khalil, cannot cross the checkpoint due to a curfew that has been imposed that day. Unable to help Mohammed get home that evening, Yaniv decides to take Mohammed to his own home. Yaniv and Mohammed must contend with both Avi and Amalia, neither of whom want Mohammed to be there. Yaniv manages to speak up against his momÍs prejudices, and Mohammed and Avi find common ground. The following day, a troubling incident at the checkpoint leaves all involved to reconsider their previous resolve.

Director: Joel Novoa
Screenwriters: Joel Novoa, Frederic Richter
Producer: Bayard Outerbridge
Cinematographer: Jonas Sacks