Applications for the 2025 Digital Storytellers Lab Cohort close for consideration on June 6th. Apply Today!
Fellows /
Mattan Harel-Fisch
Screenwriters Lab
2025-2026 Fellow
Turn Off the Lights
The story behind the 47 minute film that shocked the world- October 7 Film
(Historical/Drama)
TURN OFF THE LIGHTS is a deeply personal odyssey of identity, memory, and belonging — centered around the creation of one of the most shocking films ever made. Mattan is an Israeli-American, former special forces fighter and UX designer and in the wake of the October 7th massacre, he proposes to compile the raw, brutal footage into a single, undeniable film. Mattan becomes the aggregator of the most graphic visual material from the massacre, while living a parallel life as a husband and father. The 47-minute film he produces is the first creation Mattan ever released to the world — and becomes the most talked-about film on Earth.
Mattan Harel‑Fisch is an Israeli filmmaker and product designer, known for his work on commercials and film, as well as for creating the 47-minute IDF film on October 7th, "Bearing Witness," which gained global attention and was presented to world leaders. He has co-founded two startups and a design studio, and serves as Director of UX at the software company Lightico. His work blends narrative, design, and innovation to drive meaningful impact.
Screenwriters Lab 
