AND THERE WAS LIGHT FILM
A documentary feature by Shelley Hermon
About The Film
And There Was Light is a powerful documentary feature film that shifts the focus from the horrors of October 7th to the remarkable resilience of four Nova massacre survivors as we witness their healing dance out of darkness, in real time.
Our four uniquely talented heroes each explore a different artistic expression as their pathway to recovery. As we intimately follow these fragile lives over the course of an unprecedented year, their personal struggles and victories weave a collective narrative of perseverance and a live testament of the triumph of the human spirit.
Can trauma lead to positive transformation? The film explores “post-traumatic growth”, offering a fresh perspective and insights on trauma and recovery.
And There Was Light transcends flags, religion and race, offering a pro-human message of resilience and unity - reminding us that while trauma is universal, so too is the power to heal.
Funding Request
And There Was Light is a golden opportunity to participate in a meaningful project that will reach a broad audience and make a profound impact in our increasingly divided world. We need support to continue filming, editing, and furnishing this film with first-class animation, music, and art, utilizing some of the unique talents of our film’s subjects.
Your support will not only impact the making of the film; it will continue to roll on and do good. All profits will stream to our ATWL charity, which will support ongoing healing programmes for survivors, educational outreach work, and the creation of future illuminating content.
Shelley Hermon
DIRECTOR
Meet the characters...
Meet Sebastian
A paramedic battling PTSD from before 7/10, he rescued lives as he
escaped the festival massacre with his girlfriend. Recently losing his
father in a high-profile terrorist attack, Sebastian embraces stand-up
comedy and singing as medicine.
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Meet Ofri
A former IDF commander who lost her brother on 7/10, Ofri uses her talent as a painter and public speaker to recover and inspire action, touring U.S. campuses to educate and uplift. She is attracted to a future in politics and is currently writing a book.
Meet Aviv
A multimedia artist creating immersive installations that transform buildings into living works of art. Aviv’s escape from death is a miracle, even more poignant - his father was taken hostage in the Yom Kipur war & mother kidnapped on a hijacked plane to Jordan as a child.
Meet Eli
When bullets rained down on his car, he narrowly escaped with his sister and best friend. That day his entire perspective to life changed. Prioritizing his passions, Eli is pursuing his dream of producing music and becoming a recognized DJ.
Our Team
Shelley Hermon
Director
Award winning, British-Israeli Director whose previous Sundance supported film Within the Eye of the Storm continues to screen worldwide 13 yrs from release.
Dror Lebendiger
Cinematographer
Award winning Israeli cinematographer (Sir David Attenborough/ James Jacoby, Alex Weresow, David Ofek and Simcha Jacobovici).
Karin Etedgi
Post Producer
Veteran Israeli Producer (2024’s Of Dogs and Men, which premiered at the Venice film festival / Apple TV’s international hit series Tehran).
Ido Haar
Editor
Academy award nominated Israeli filmmaker and editor (Presenting Princess Shaw/ 9 Star Hotel / Melting Siberia).
Georgia Gwynne Gruber
Producer
Award-winning Welsh writer and producer (Larry King / Emmy winning doc The Weight of Success / The Courier).
Shani Kuper
Executive Producer
Israeli-British philanthropist for Jewish causes based in Zurich, will oversee the foundation, ensuring the film’s mission & impact go far beyond the screen.
Daniel Haymann
Legal Counsel
Acclaimed Swiss-Israeli legal expert, board member of Keren Hayesod Zurich (the global fundraiser for Israel), deeply committed to philanthropy.