About Me
I'm an artistic director, creator for stage and screen, and cinema lecturer
based in Tel Aviv.
I hold a BA in Film and Television from the Steve Tisch School of Film and Television at Tel Aviv University.
Formerly the Artistic Director of the Tel Aviv International Children’s Film Festival, I now work independently — curating short film programs for young audiences and delivering lectures on cinema in both cultural and educational settings. My work focuses on using film and theater to inspire curiosity, dialogue, and connection.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of serving as a jury member in leading international film festivals dedicated to children and youth. I've participated in a variety of competitions — including short films, features, documentaries, animated films, and European cinema. Each festival offered a unique cultural perspective and gave me the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue with young audiences, filmmakers, and fellow professionals from around the world.
Selected festivals include:
– CINEMIRA #6, Budapest, Hungary
– LUCAS #47 and #46, Frankfurt, Germany
– SCHLINGEL #30, #29, and #28, Chemnitz, Germany
– SEOUL INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL #11, South Korea
For inquiries: Levinoy@gmail.com
Based in Tel Aviv | Available for international collaborations
In honor of Studio Ghibli’s 40th anniversary, I’m offering a new lecture exploring the evolution and cultural impact of Japanese animation.
Secrets of Manga and Anime
In this interactive talk, we’ll uncover the hidden layers of Japan’s iconic comic and animation culture.
Through clips from landmark films – including beloved Ghibli classics – we’ll trace anime’s artistic journey and reveal surprising myths and symbols rooted in Japanese tradition.
The lecture is available in both English and Hebrew. Suitable for all generations – an engaging introduction to the rich world of Japanese animation.
Selected Works
Artistic Direction
International Children's Film Festival, Cinematheque Tel Aviv (2021–2024)
I developed the festival’s main theme and curated the entire program, showcasing films from Israel and around the world. The festival offered a rich variety of content for children aged 2-13, including masterclasses, workshops, and special events. For younger audiences, we showcased wordless animated films and hands-on workshops, while for older audiences, we presented films exploring themes of coming-of-age.
I wrote and directed the opening and closing events, moderated panels with filmmakers, initiated open calls for short film submissions, and led collaborations, including a joint project with the “Rabinovich Foundation for the Arts” to develop Israeli children's films.
The festival also included activities for children with diverse neurological needs, developed in partnership with the "Safe Place" Association, to ensure a welcoming and accessible experience for all.
International Curation
SICFF, South Korea, 2023
The festival presented a short film program I curated, featuring works by film students and young filmmakers from Israel. I had the privilege of introducing the program to the local audience and attending the screening.
The films presented in the program were:
"Itch" – Ma'ayan Rypp
"A tale on Giants and Other Animals" – Rotem Halfon
"My Invisible Friend" – Shelly Rosner
"Naomi" – Ella Deutsch
"Good Night" – Ann Bitan
Playwright | One More Story
Presented at the 25th Short Theater Festival | Tzavta, Tel Aviv | 2023
A Musical Play for Children Composed of Three Short Stories
Gili, a funny and slightly dependent 6-year-old, shares a room with her 9-year-old brother Gadi. When she finds out that Gadi is moving to his own room and she'll be left alone, Gili does everything she can to keep him with her.
Direction and Music: Cnaan Levkovich | Plays by: Noy Levin, Nir Soffer-Dudek, Shoval Bachar | Assistant Director: Omer Philosoph | Cast: Efrat Arnon, Yuval Klo, Yiftach Samocha | Theme Song Lyrics: Noa Dotan | Set, Costume, and Poster Design: Noa Goldstein | Lighting Design: Ilan Herzog | Artistic Guidance: Tal Cohn | Photography: Yossi Zwecker
Co-creator and performer | HOR - SHA - HOR
Presented at the 31st International Puppet Theater Festival | Jerusalem, 2022
Interactive installation-performance
A hole in the cheese, a hole in the pretzel, a hole in the sock, and sometimes even in a tooth
But no hole is quite like “Hor-Sha-Hor”, the black hole…
An immersive installation of “black holes” that invites you to see, smell, feel, and hear everything they’ve swallowed over light-years.
Co-creation, performance and Sound: Nir Jacob Younessi | Artistic direction: Dafna Kron & Shahar Marom | Photography: Dor Kedmi
Co-creator and performer | MANIMALS
Presented at the 30st International Puppet Theater Festival | Jerusalem, 2021
The animals got confused!
Ziva the zoologist has seen many strange creatures – but never ones this mixed up!
In this playful installation, children are invited to:
+ Make music with the ׳Tzipodag׳ (bird-fish)
+ Feed the always-hungry ׳Taninashach׳ (alligator-snake)
+ Whisper your deepest secrets to the ׳Tupil׳ (parrot-elephant)
A fun, interactive journey into a world of unusual creatures.
Co-creation, Sound Designing & Interactivity: Nir Jacob Younessi | Artistic direction: Dafna Kron & Shahar Marom | Design Assistance: Shay Id Aloni | Photography: Dor Kedmi
Co-creator and performer | FINE AS A RAW MATERIAL OR BETTER
Performed at the 18th A-Genre Festival, Tmuna Theater, Tel Aviv (2022)
The whistle of a kettle, white noise from an old TV, the static of an untuned radio – These and other everyday sounds formed the basis of a performance-installation built from dozens of outdated electrical appliances collected online from people across the country.
In this work, discarded objects were transformed into instruments of musical creation. Through digital processing, these devices lost their practical value and became storytellers, Carrying the sounds of their past lives —warming, filling silence, toasting a sandwich.
During the performance, we played both the sounds of the appliances and the voices of their previous owners, sharing the stories behind the machines.
At the end of the festival, visitors were invited to take the appliances home, giving them new life.
This work reflects on overconsumption and the loss of the human touch in a commercialized world.
Co-creation, performance & sound design: Nir Jacob Younessi | Artistic direction: Erez Maayan Shalev & Itay Doron | Poster photo: Dan Ben Ari