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Set against the vibrant streets of 1960s Tel Aviv, The First Lady chronicles the extraordinary journey of one of Israel’s first openly transgender women. From the moment she realized at age 14 that she was meant to live as a woman, Efrat faced rejection, violence, and exile—but she also discovered refuge and self-expression in the glittering world behind Tel Aviv’s Sabra Club curtains.
Following Efrat from the hidden stages of Tel Aviv to the grand theaters of Brussels, Berlin, and Paris, the film captures her evolution from a performer lip-syncing to icons like Audrey Hepburn and Shirley Bassey to a pioneering activist confronting societal prejudice head-on. Returning to Israel in 2005, she embraced a new role: advocating for transgender rights and speaking out against injustice, declaring with determined conviction, “We will not be silent.”
Now in her seventies, as Israel faces political and social conflict, Efrat confronts the traumas of her past and fights once again for freedom, recognition, and dignity. A story of courage and love triumphing over ignorance, this portrait of Efrat Tilma celebrates a life lived unapologetically and a legacy that continues to inspire.
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Sponsored by Mark Kravitz
- Year2025
- Runtime82 minutes
- LanguageHebrew, German, French
- CountryIsrael
- PremiereEast Coast Premiere
- DirectorUdi Nir, Sagi Bornstein
- ScreenwriterUdi Nir, Sagi Bornstein
- CastEfrat Tilma
- CinematographerDaniel Binsted, Uriel Sinai
- EditorSagi Bornstein
If you would like to donate to support our efforts, you can do so by clicking here. You can also experience all the films streaming in the Festival's virtual program by purchasing an All-Access Virtual Pass by clicking here.
Set against the vibrant streets of 1960s Tel Aviv, The First Lady chronicles the extraordinary journey of one of Israel’s first openly transgender women. From the moment she realized at age 14 that she was meant to live as a woman, Efrat faced rejection, violence, and exile—but she also discovered refuge and self-expression in the glittering world behind Tel Aviv’s Sabra Club curtains.
Following Efrat from the hidden stages of Tel Aviv to the grand theaters of Brussels, Berlin, and Paris, the film captures her evolution from a performer lip-syncing to icons like Audrey Hepburn and Shirley Bassey to a pioneering activist confronting societal prejudice head-on. Returning to Israel in 2005, she embraced a new role: advocating for transgender rights and speaking out against injustice, declaring with determined conviction, “We will not be silent.”
Now in her seventies, as Israel faces political and social conflict, Efrat confronts the traumas of her past and fights once again for freedom, recognition, and dignity. A story of courage and love triumphing over ignorance, this portrait of Efrat Tilma celebrates a life lived unapologetically and a legacy that continues to inspire.
────────────────────
Sponsored by Mark Kravitz
- Year2025
- Runtime82 minutes
- LanguageHebrew, German, French
- CountryIsrael
- PremiereEast Coast Premiere
- DirectorUdi Nir, Sagi Bornstein
- ScreenwriterUdi Nir, Sagi Bornstein
- CastEfrat Tilma
- CinematographerDaniel Binsted, Uriel Sinai
- EditorSagi Bornstein