Israel’s leading commercial TV channel, Keshet 12, and global content distributor Keshet International have together boarded a new action-drama series titled Red Alert from Israel’s Green Productions (Cinema Sabaya, One on One, Menashe, Golda) with legendary producer Lawrence Bender (Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, Good Will Hunting, Inglourious Basterds) on board as executive producer and the support of multiple funding partners, including the Jewish National Fund USA – Israel Entertainment Fund (IEF) and Jordana Reuben Yechiel.
Referring to the emergency warning signal indicating an imminent threat, Red Alert (5×50’) is based on true events that transpired during the brutal October 7th terror attacks. The high-octane and highly emotional drama focuses on five citizens unexpectedly thrust into the center of an invasion and confronted with unimaginable life and death situations. As the ongoing attack rages all around, their stories stand out from the chaos. Developed in collaboration with survivors and victims’ families, this multicharacter drama blends incredible human stories of bravery, resilience, and defiance – many of which made news headlines around the world in the aftermath of this shocking terror attack – with intense military action.
Karni Ziv, Head of Drama and Comedy for Keshet 12, says, “For a while, there seemed to be no reasonable dramatic approach to retell such a profound event. We needed time and perspective to find the right project and the right creative partners to help us tell this story in the right way. In Red Alert, the human drama transcends the war, which sometimes serves as background and sometimes as the story itself, to deliver a message of hope and solidarity.”
Executive Producer Jordana Reuben Yechiel adds, “These extraordinary people, just like any one of us, when faced with life and death choices, rose up to be heroes. Red Alert is a story about people.”
Executive producer Lawrence Bender of Bender Brown Productions, whose films have been nominated for 36 Academy Awards ® and have won nine, says, “Red Alert will embark on an intense and emotional journey that explores the indomitable human spirit. This international action drama will showcase the unwavering resolve of real people who confront unimaginable challenges to create a compelling viewing experience.”
Green Productions’ Maya Fischer, who is a producer on the series, comments, “Red Alert offers a complex portrayal of the Israelis targeted in the attack – Jews and Arabs, urbanites and villagers, soldiers and civilians – moving beyond statistics to a relatable, human-centered view that creates a compelling, high-quality narrative. As our heroes’ stories unfold, intertwined across the five episodes, audiences will witness moments of triumph amid the despair and emerge feeling inspired and uplifted. By the final frame, we aim to reignite a sense of inspiration and a renewed faith in the inherent goodness of humanity.”
Keren Shahar, CEO of Keshet International, adds, “One of the first scripted dramas on this subject, Red Alert will provide a unique perspective distinct from news or documentaries to create a powerful testament to the extraordinary capacity for hope and resilience that resides within us all. The heroic stories and true events depicted will weave an action-driven tapestry that captures the incredible power of kindness, sacrifice, and altruism in a way that connects on a deeply emotional level. We cannot think of better partners to be collaborating with on this important international project.”
Nati Dinnar, founder and President of the Israel Entertainment Fund (IEF), and Russel Robinson, CEO of The Jewish National Fund USA, together comment, “We are honored to partner with this dream team of Keshet and Hollywood professionals in bringing Red Alert to life. This series is more than just an extraordinary opportunity to showcase the unmatched talent of Israeli storytellers—it’s a responsibility to ensure that the narrative of that horrific day is told with authenticity and integrity. This is exactly the kind of project that embodies the mission of the IEF and JNF-USA: elevating Israeli voices and stories to a global stage while creating employment and economic growth opportunities for the communities of Israel’s north and south.”
Produced by Green Productions alongside Bender Brown Productions (Dr Vegas, Roswell, Seven Seconds), Red Alert is created, written, and will be directed by Lior Chefetz (The Stronghold, Sky Raiders, Line in the Sand). Co-created by Ruth Efroni, this 5×50’ action-drama is co-written by Kineret Peled and Idan Hubel. Green Productions’ Maya Fischer, Shani Ettinger Sror, Roi Kurland, and Gal Greenspan produce, alongside executive producers Jordana Reuben Yechiel, Lisa Boyan, Mika Rodeh, Lawrence Bender, Kevin Brown, IEF’s Nati Dinnar and Russel Robinson; Keshet Media Group’s Avi Nir; Keshet Broadcasting’s Karni Ziv, Yuval Horowitz, and Eze Sakson; and Keshet International’s Keren Shahar and Kelly Wright.
With principal photography set for Spring 2025, Red Alert will be filmed in Israel in Hebrew, Arabic and English. Casting is in progress, with the final stages of fundraising to be concluded shortly. Funding partners confirmed to date include the JNF-USA Israel Entertainment Fund (IEF), a philanthropic investment fund supported by the Jewish National Fund dedicated to support Israeli productions for the global stage, the Gesher Multicultural Film Fund, the Maimonides Fund, and the Avi Chai Foundation. The five-part action drama is slated to premiere on Keshet 12 to coincide with the second anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israel. Keshet International is the international distributor for this dramatization.
