The Israeli Film Festival returns to Los Angeles after a multi-year hiatus.
The 36th edition of the festival comes more than a year after the outbreak of Israel’s war with Hamas, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives and plunged the country into an existential crisis while fomenting anti-Israel and anti-Semitism around the world mood.
Despite facing unprecedented obstacles, festival organizers believe now is the time to bring the event back.
“Despite the significant challenges this year has brought to Israel and to Jewish and Israeli communities around the world, we have decided to go ahead with the festival after a two-and-a-half-year delay,” said Mel Fenigstein, founder and executive officer of the festival. Meir Fenigstein said. hollywood reporter.
“We are a non-political organization. Our screenings are open to the public and everyone is welcome. Nonetheless, we have significantly increased security measures at all screenings across our various venues to ensure the safety and comfort of our guests,” Fenigstein added.
The festival will run from November 13 to 26 and screen 40 feature films, documentaries and short films by Israeli filmmakers. Participants must be Israeli citizens who currently live there, or who have lived and been educated there in the past and/or have strong Israeli ancestry. Palestinian and Israeli Arab filmmakers who fit these criteria have attended the festival in past years, but were absent from this year’s lineup.
Get closerIsrael’s Oscar submission for Best International Film, submitted by female writer and director Tom Nesher, will premiere at the festival and be screened as the opening night. sodaDirected by Erez Tadmor, THE MOVIE will host a special sneak peek of the film as its core film event. (Neither film deals with war.)
Mattel Chairman and CEO Ynon Kreiz helped launch the blockbuster Barbiewill receive the 2024 IFF Industry Leadership Award at the opening ceremony. Israeli comedian and actor Shaike Levi will receive the 2024 IFF Lifetime Achievement Award at the closing ceremony.
Festival screenings will also be shown at the Laemmle Theater Royal in West Los Angeles and the Laemmle Town Center 5 in Encino. The Saban Theatre, WGA Theater and Fine Arts Theater in Beverly Hills will also serve as performance venues.
For the full line-up, visit the festival website .
