"Set against the backdrop of 1960s Tel Aviv, Udi Nir and Sagi Bornstein's documentary feature, 'The First Lady', introduces us to Efrat Tilma, a pioneering transgender woman whose journey is one of remarkable resilience and unwavering spirit. Forced to flee Israel as a teenager after experiencing persecution and violence simply for embracing her identity, Tilma embarked on a path that led her through the vibrant artistic scenes of Brussels, Berlin, and Paris. There, as a talented lip-sync artist, she found acceptance and flourished. However, in a surprising twist of fate, Tilma returned to Israel in the early 2000s and became the country's first openly transgender police officer, almost six decades after her traumatic departure.

'The First Lady' delves into Tilma's remarkable life, tracing her journey from persecution to prominence, and highlighting her unwavering commitment to fighting for transgender rights, especially as the country experiences a period of political and social regression. The film showcases Tilma's courage in the face of adversity, her determination to confront her past, and her ongoing activism for the LGBTQ+ community."

SAGI BORNSTEIN

Sagi Bornstein is a director, producer and editor of documentaries. He studied photography at Camera Obscura film school and worked as an editor for leading Israeli broadcasters before starting his own production company. His films have been screened at leading international festivals, including DOC NYC and Hot Docs, and have won several international awards such as the IDA Award for Best Short-Form Series and the Editing Award at the Docaviv Film Festival.

UDI NIR

Udi Nir is a writer, director, and producer. He began his career working with Amnesty International and other human rights NGOs in Israel before studying at the School of Playwriting in Tel Aviv. In 2015, he partnered with Sagi Bornstein and transitioned into documentary filmmaking. His films have been screened at leading international festivals, including DocNYC and Hot Docs, and have won several international awards such as the IDA Award for Best Short-Form Series and the Editing Award at the Docaviv Film Festival.