The inaugural presentations of the '263 Nights' project took place in Israel and Russia

“263 Nights” is a unique international project produced with the participation of three countries: Belarus, Russia, and Israel. It is the story of 26 people who hid from the horrors of the Nazi occupation in a dugout basement for 263 days and nights. This is a story about people and their innermost experiences, about the struggle for survival, personal heroism, sacrifices, and the general horrors of World War II.

The animated film realistically depicts the story of those who survived to this day and shared how they endured the hell of the Nazi ghetto and the Holocaust, in the hope that their memory will be preserved not only by their families, but also by everyone who watches this film.

The project was implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus, the National Film Studio “Belarusfilm,” the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress (EAJC), “Eva Group,” and the Workshop of Vladimir Bokun, with information support from “Nativ” — Israeli Cultural Center under the Embassy of the State of Israel in the Russian Federation.

“By telling a unique, terrifying, and at the same time moving story, the film '263 Nights' reveals a new perspective on the events of the Holocaust. Introducing new narratives, facts, and viewpoints regarding these tragic events allows us to sustain this dialogue and prevent it from fading. In the modern world, it is particularly crucial to present information in novel formats, utilizing visual art, which plays a paramount role in depicting the most complex historical events. The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress considers the preservation of the memory of the Holocaust one of our primary objectives, and we are deeply honored to support this project,” stated the President of the EAJC, businessman and philanthropist Dr. Michael Mirilashvili.

The general producer of the film was Vladimir Karachevsky (Belarus), with co-producers Dr. Chaim Ben-Yakov (Israel), Dmitry Brodsky, and Dmitry Sinov (Russia). The screenplay was written by Konstantin Andryushechkin based on the literary work of Boris Gersten. The film was directed by Irina Tarasova, with art direction by Anna Emelyanova (Belarus). The music was composed by Yuri Povolotsky (Israel), and the sound design was by Viktor Mors (Russia). The narrator of the film is People's Artist of Russia Aristarkh Livanov.

The world premiere of the animated film is scheduled for Autumn 2021 and will take place simultaneously in Belarus, Russia, and Israel. Currently, private screenings of the project are being held in various locations. On May 7, a presentation was held at the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War, attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Israel to Belarus, Alex Goldman-Shayman, Senior Counselor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Belarus Stanislav Makarenko, and representatives of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus.

The presentation of the project in Russia and Israel took place on June 22, the anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. In Russia, the event was held in Saint Petersburg, and in Israel, it was hosted by the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem.

The presentation in Jerusalem was attended by Efim Gimelshtein, who serves as the narrator of the film. Efim was merely six years old when he hid in that basement. Today, he resides in Israel and, despite the weight of these memories, considers it his mission to share his unique story.

A special screening is planned in the near future for members of the Israeli Parliament (the Knesset).