Eva Lanska is a British Israeli film director, screenwriter and video artist.  She began her career in France in 2000, where in association with members of the musical band the immigrants, she produced her first video installation dedicated to the fight against racism.

Eva Lanska attends Firebrand Premiere during Festival de Cannes 2023

Art, literature, French cinematography and atmosphere of Paris influenced her while she was a student and this became the foundation of all her art. Eva has graduated from the London Film Academy and is a student at the London Institute of Photography. Her main art works are dedicated to various social problems.

Eva has always been fascinated with photography and later this passion transformed into creation of video installations and digital art, exploring the theme of strong women leaders.  Since 2015, Eva has focused on such themes as supporting the movement against racism, anti-Semitism and women’s empowerment. Dedicated to this theme, in 2014 Eva organized an exhibition with the support of Pace Gallery London at the Royal Academy of Arts. She is also a member of the BAFTA circle.

Her first film, dedicated to children’s protection from domestic violence, was selected by the Cannes Film Festival in 2017. Since then, she has been awarded or officially nominated for over 30 major film festivals. Her latest documentary short A Big Heart was featured at the 2023 Festival de Cannes.

Can you tell us about your film ‘A Big Heart’ which was a finalist in the 2023 French Riviera Film Festival?

This is a documentary short that we filmed in Israel. The director of photography of this film Itay Weinbroom often uses a non-standard approach in his work, for example, filming using a drone. With this project, we had a small budget, so our team took it as a good challenge, but at the same time, made it with pride, since the topic of the story is very important and touching. The main idea of the film was the story of one teenager who is a great example for many of today’s youth. The film spotlights the major role young volunteers played in helping the elderly during the Covid epidemic in 2020.

What other festivals has this film been featured in or will be featured in?

The film was also an official selection of the Cannes Art Festival 2023 and received a nomination in the best director category.

How was your experience at this year's Festival de Cannes?

The festival is almost back to its heights prior to 2020 and has become even more productive for young filmmakers when compared to those difficulties that we all faced in 2021-2022,

What projects are you working on today? (film, art?)

I am currently creating a video installation titled Followers of Giovanni Battista Salvi, which I want to present at Art Basel in Miami.

Followers of Giovanni Battista Salvi, created in my Tel Aviv atelier, is a captivating series that explores the powerful imagery of the father as a protector and a strong figure as a support for the weak. Through projecting the role of a strong state onto the need for protection, a concept particularly relevant in Israel, I thoughtfully discuss the essential principles of maintaining peace.

Inspired by the captivating Baroque masterpieces of the renowned artist Giovanni Battista Salvi, I offer my own unique interpretation to this collection and invite my audience to immerse itself in its rich symbolism and powerful imagery.

Do you plan to attend the Venice Biennale this September?

Yes, I am planning to visit this festival with my team in order to present our project, the feature film Bardo, to investors and distributors, the full-length film Bardo. The story is about the life of a Parisian bohemian at the end of the 1960s.

For more information about Eva Lanska, visit: eva lanska art