About

Ariel Semmel

Quit school at 16, Autodidactic since. Bartender, 2 years in Paris. Fashion photographer, Film cinematographer, 18 years in NYC. Yellow cab driver, Motorcycle racer, Visionary and multidisciplinary cinema producer/director with over 20 years of experience, dozens of international film awards. Currently live in Tel Aviv and finally managed to quit smoking.

Ariel Semmel

Director, Producer, Editor, Photographer

2021 – 2024 – Directing and producing – The film VAXO. A documentary feature film (Will air in late 2025).

The story of Israel’s largest protest against the government dictatorship.
Ariel and his wife were among the leaders of the protest. That perspective provides a rare glimpse to the behind the scenes of this incredible protest.

2023 – Managing and producing the media for the “OMETZ” election campaign

2021  Directing, producing, editing and Acting – The film “MOLOTOV” (28 min)

Winner, Jerusalem Film Festival 2021 and 9 more wins in international film festivals.

MOLOTOV Trailer

https://vimeo.com/532643875

1996-2019 Directing, producing and editing – The film “PARANO” (81 min)

24 years of shooting in New Mexico, Paris, New York and Tel Aviv.

Winner, Jerusalem Film Festival 2019.

PARANO Trailer

https://vimeo.com/332477504

2014 – Photo Book Publishing – ‘The Penguiners’

 230 photos which document the secret history of Tel Aviv in the 80′.

2007-9 – CEO of SEKTOR 17, Israel

Production and Studio. High end commercials §and music videos .

2006   Directing, photography – TV film: ‘OutSmarting Terror’ (46 min)

Produced for National Geographic USA.

Broadcasted to 59 million viewers.

2002-4 – New York Times Television

Directing openings for leading television series (Anthony Bourdain. Life in E.R)

2001 – Directing and producing: – TV film: ‘Dreaming A New Cuba’

Produced for Showtime

1996-9 Directing commercials for Israel’s leading brands.

1995 Cinematographer and Commercial Photographer,

Panoramic photography for the ‘Oceanarium’ in Eilat.

1994 Directing the short film “Maniac!”

1991-3  Cinematography of 4 feature films.

1984-8  Fashion photography. New York.