Heretic Outreach has picked up worldwide sales rights to Africa, Oren Gerner’s feature debut that will receive its world premiere in Toronto in the Discovery section next month.

Africa tells the story of 68-year-old Meir, who, struggling with life after retirement, goes out on a personal journey to reconstruct his shaken sense of meaning and vitality. The film will get its European premiere in San Sebastian in New Directors.

Gerner cast his parents Meir Gerner and Maya Gerner in the lead roles, and stars alongside them. The cast includes Gilad Earel, Alon Earel, Haim Neiberg, Tom Kroszynski, and Shai Nemet.  Itay Akirav served as producer.

“Africa spoke to our hearts from the very first moment for its direct and refreshing approach,” said Heretic Outreach’s head of sales and acquisitions Ioanna Stais. “Oren does an amazing job introducing his characters, creating an intimate and life-affirming tale that I am confident will communicate with viewers worldwide. We can’t wait for Africa to begin its route to festivals, and both TIFF’s Discovery and SSIFF New Directors section are the best starting points.”

 We are very thrilled and happy to have Heretic Outreach as the sales company for Africa,” said Akirav. “Heretic has this rare combination of being very professional, and very personal at the same time, giving their attention to every detail in the process.”

“Most of all, we felt they had a strong connection and deep understanding of the film and its needs” added Gerner. “We are looking forward to our mutual journey.”

Heretic partner Konstantinos Kontovrakis added: “We are very happy to include Africa in our slate. Having a film from Israel, a country that has consistently provided the world with fresh talent and strong stories over the last decades, was something we’ve always wanted and AFRICA does this in the most unexpected way – through its simple, loving and subtly humorous observation of a man struggling with reinventing himself after retirement.”

Gerner directed the short films Greenland, Shark Tooth, and Gabriel.

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