Shai Carmeli-Pollak’s The Sea , about a Palestinian boy, will be Israel ‘s entry to the Best International Feature Film category of the 98th Academy Awards after it won Best Film in the country’s Ophir Awards on Tuesday evening.

Under Israel’s protocol, the winner of the Best Film Ophir is automatically put forward as Israel’s Oscar candidate.

The film follows Khaled, a 12 year old Palestinian boy living in the landlocked West Back on his way to visit the sea for the first time in his life, until at the checkpoint, the Israeli authorities deny his entry.

Determined to fulfil his dream, he sneaks into Israel and embarks on a dangerous journey to the coast, dodging checkpoints, military and police.

The film, which was a frontrunner in the awards with 13 nominations, features a ca

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