Our Mission

The mission of the Israel Film Festival is to enrich the American vision of Israeli life and culture, to spotlight Israel’s thriving film and television industry, and to promote cultural recognition of Israel through the powerful medium of film.

As an international entertainment industry event, the Festival has brought acclaim to both the films and participants, and has opened new possibilities for cooperation and co-production between the U.S. and Israeli film industries.

Each year, the Festival explores Israeli society by premiering Israeli features, documentaries, television dramas and student shorts, and through conversations with visiting Israeli filmmakers in three major U.S. cities: Los Angeles, New York and Miami.

For 25 years, the Festival has created an exciting and artistic platform for engaging diverse audiences with the richness of Israeli life and culture.

Founder

Meir Fenigstein is the Founder & Executive Director of IsraFest Foundation, Inc. and the Israel Film Festival in the USA. For over two decades, Fenigstein has worked hard to raise awareness about Israel’s cultural diversity and cinematic creativity. Once well known as POOGY, the drummer for the legendary Israeli rock band Kaveret, Fenigstein channeled his raw energy into a love of Israeli cinema.

Fenigstein has earned industry respect and recognition for elevating the Israeli film and television industry in America, and for creating an artistic bridge that fosters cultural understanding between Israel, the U.S. and throughout the world.

As a direct result of Fenigstein’s efforts, the Israel Film Festival continues to flourish and shape the image of Israel conveyed to millions of people on a daily basis through the media.