Pride Squad 2025| LGBTWORK
From the Margins to the Center of Creation
Director, screenwriter, and educator Eliran Elia shares his journey from being an at-risk youth who grew up on the margins of society, through confronting his sexual identity and sense of alienation, to his cinematic, educational, and public work that led him to become the deputy mayor of the city where he grew up.
The meeting opens with a screening of an episode from the series "The Good City," written and directed by Elia, based on his life story. What truly defines us? Can we escape our past? And what scars remain for those who choose to cross boundaries? Through the creative work and lecture, we open a discussion about the influence of social background in shaping personal identity, breaking the classed glass ceiling, and the role of sexual identity in this process.
This is a personal journey presented through creative work - from a story of denial, coming out, to the pride and confidence that led him to personal and public fulfillment. Elia demonstrates how past wounds can be transformed into a driving force for change, and how art can serve as a tool for social change.
Eliran Elia
Eliran Elia is a director, screenwriter, and educator whose life story has become an inspiration for cinematic and social work. He is the creator of the series "The Good City," which depicts the reality of life in underprivileged neighborhoods and sees his work in cinema and education as tools for social change.
Beyond his cinematic work, Elia served as deputy mayor in his hometown and works to promote equality, education, and youth empowerment. In his lectures, he shares how shame and alienation can be transformed into sources of strength and growth, and how art and personal storytelling can be used to change perceptions, break barriers, and build a better future.
