News Updates
October 27, 2011 LOS ANGELES
The 26th Israel Film Festival will take place in Los Angeles from March 15-29, 2012, in Miami on April 15-22, 2012, and in New York on May 3-19, 2012.
We are also excited to announce that for the first time in the Festival’s history our Opening Night Gala & Awards Presentation for the Los Angeles Festival will be held at the state-of-the-art Paramount Theater on the Paramount Studios Lot on March 15, 2012. If you would like to purchase advance tickets for Opening Night, please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
If you would like to join us as a sponsor or community partner, please contact Meir Fenigstein, founder/executor director, at (213) 948-8800.
May 19, NEW YORK
Press Contacts:
Gary Springer / Ann Takahashi
SPRINGER ASSOCIATES PR
212-354-4660
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / 19 May 2011
AVI NESHER’S THE MATCHMAKER WINS PANAVISION AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD FOR BEST ISRAELI FEATURE
PRECIOUS LIFE & STRANGERS NO MORE TIE FOR AUDIENCE ‘DOC’ AWARD; ABORT WINS AUDIENCE AWARD FOR STUDENT SHORT
FROM THE STAR-STUDDED OPENING NIGHT GALA TO CLOSING NIGHT, THE 25TH ISRAEL FILM FESTIVAL HAS BEEN A SMASH HIT
New York, May 19, 2011 – The 25th ISRAEL FILM FESTIVAL closed tonight in NYC with a screening of the Panavision Audience Choice Award winning film – Avi Nesher’s The Matchmaker. The annual Panavision Audience Choice Award for Best Israeli Feature Film carries a state-of-the-art Panavision package worth over $60,000 for the director and producer to use toward their next film shot in Israel. Mr. Nesher’s The Matchmaker was shot utilizing funds he was awarded from the Panavision Audience Choice Award he received for his entry in the 23rd IFF in 2008, The Secrets. Now let’s see what Avi Nesher brings us next!!!
Audience Awards were also presented in the documentary film and Student Short categories. Tied in the documentary category are Director Shlomi Eldar’s Precious Life, and Directors Karen Goodman and Kirk Simon’s Strangers No More, also the winner of the Best Short Documentary at the recent Academy Awards®. In the category of Best Student Short Film, the Audience Award was presented to Director Hadar Ageyev’s Abort, from the Minshar School of Art.
But the most exciting news is that “this NY edition of the Israel Film Festival has been the most successful in the festival’s 25-year history,” says IFF Founder and Executive Director Meir Fenigstein. “We have taken in over $105,000 through the box-office, online ticket sales and sponsorship tickets, which is a marked 17% increase over our previous high record from the 2009 Los Angeles IFF fest.
The 25th ISRAEL FILM FESTIVAL opened with a sold out gala event at the Plaza Hotel and Paris Theatre complete with stars, paparazzi, filmmakers and sponsors. Emcee Tovah Feldshuh began the presentation by saying how she played Honoree Liev Schreiber’s mother in “A Walk On The Moon” and what a good son he was. Then she introduced the presenter, author Jonathan Safran Foer – but he was stuck home with sick kids – so onto the stage bounded Liev’s self-styled ‘partner-in-crime,’ acclaimed star Naomi Watts, who proceeded to gush … “I could stand here all night going on about what a terrific man, actor, father and partner he is.” Liev took the podium to thank his ‘film mother,’ and his ‘partner-in-crime,’ and then proceeded to say that upon hearing that he was being honored by the Israel Film Festival he did what every good Jewish boy does – he went right away and called his mother!!
The other Honorees of the evening were legendary Actor/Director/Producer Choreographer Stanley Donen (“Singing in the Rain,” “Wonderful Town,” “Two For The Road”), presented by Phil Donahue, with Marlo Thomas on hand, and venerated Israeli filmmaker Micha Shagrir, presented by the lovely Mira Tzur. Following the splendid reception, and awards presentation the Award-winning Opening Night Film, Intimate Grammar, was screened.
There were many terrific highlights of the festival – Having filmmakers from Israel, including Orly Silbersatz (Actress, Intimate Grammar); Igaal Niddam (Director, Brothers); Adam Sanderson (Director, This Is Sodom); Jorge Weller (Director, Salsa Tel Aviv); Keren Berger (Actress, 2 Night); Roi Warner (Director, 2 Night); Dan Wolman (Director, Gei Oni); Estee Meckelberg (Producer, Land Of Genesis); Shlomi Eldar (Director, Precious Life); and Kirk Simon & Karen Goodman (Directors, 2010 Academy Awardâ Winning Strangers No More), on hand to support their films and participate in the Festival events. There were terrific Israeli independent - 2 Night, Salsa Tel Aviv, Gei Oni, Brothers - as well as mainstream films – The Matchmaker, Intimate Grammar, This Is Sodom - making their World and/or North American premieres. We had amazing audiences at all the documentary film programs – Amos Oz: The Nature of Dreams, and the sold out Strangers No More among them. The special Homage to Micha Shagrir and the 25th Anniversary screening of Avanti Popolo; even our first-time midnight screening of the horror film Rabies, had audiences lined up outside the AMC Loews 84th St. – and there were so many more.
IFF Founder and Executive Director, Meir Fenigstein, credits, “The awareness that US filmgoers have of Israeli films is growing every year. Israeli films have been winning awards and fans around the world lately and audiences want to join in on the excitement. Also, our move to the AMC Loews 84th St. & Broadway (AMC is the second largest chain of theatre in the United States) put us right back into the heart of our core audience. This festival successfully closed out our first 25 years, and our plans for the next 25 is to take the festival to new heights and to expand and grow in new directions utilizing much of the new technology available today.”
In the last two and a half decades, the Festival has presented more than 800 feature films, documentaries, television dramas and short films to over 900,000 filmgoers and brought hundreds of Israeli filmmakers to the U.S. to share their art. The Israel Film Festival is produced by IsraFest Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization created in 1982. The 25th Anniversary festival is presented in association with the Government of Israel, Consulate General of Israel in New York, Israel Film Fund, Rabinovich Foundation-Cinema Project, Jerusalem Film and Television Fund, and sponsored in part by Highbrow, Bank Leumi USA, New York Post, Los Angeles Times, CassaNY Hotel, Relativity, 20th Century-Fox, Nu Image/Millennium Films, Cheryl and Haim Saban, Maurice Marciano Family Foundation, Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson, Israel Bonds, El Al Airlines, and other corporations, organizations and individuals who believe in the importance of promoting Israeli culture in the USA.
The Festival’s mission is to showcase the finest new Israeli films in order to share with American audiences the country’s rich culture, diverse stories and modern Israeli life. The 25th NY Festival Chairman is Ronald S. Guttman, with Honorary Chairman Arnon Milchan; The Honorary Committee includes Avi Arad, Mark Canton, Gil Cates, Michael Douglas, Richard Dreyfuss, Meyer Gottlieb, Dustin Hoffman, Lainie Kazan, Penny Marshall, David Matalon, Mike Medavoy, Bette Midler, Rob Reiner, Jane Rosenthal, Terry Semel, Nina Tassler, and many others. Proceeds from the Gala Opening Night event will provide funds to support the IsraFest Foundation and scholarship funds at the top six film schools in Israel.
The 26th Israel Film Festival is slated to kick-off in Los Angeles on October 27, 2011, moving to Miami on December 7, 2011 and back to New York in early 2012. For additional information on the Israel Film Festival, please call 877-966-5566 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
May 19, NEW YORK
It’s been an amazing two weeks! Tonight, we will close out our historic festival with The Matchmaker (by popular demand) and announce the winner of the Panavision Audience Choice Award. Your vote means one Israeli filmmaker will receive a film production package valued at $60,000 courtesy of Panavision!
To purchase tickets to Closing Night, visit the Calendar section of our website and click on today’s date or call IsraFest at 1-877-966-5566. Tickets are also available at the AMC Loews Box Office at 84th Street & Broadway.
Thank you for supporting 25 years of Israeli cinema in New York. We look forward to the next 25!
Meir Fenigstein & everyone at IsraFest Foundation
May 17, NEW YORK
It’s been an amazing 12 days. We kicked off our 25th Anniversary Festival on May 5th with a spectacular Opening Night Gala. The stars came out to show their support—celebrities, filmmakers, sponsors and fans of Israeli cinema gathered for our historic celebration.
Now we’re just days away from our Closing Night Screening on May 19th where we will announce the Panavision Audience Choice Winner and screen the award-winning film, The Matchmaker, by popular demand!
If you are a sponsor, you are entitled to tickets to Closing Night. Please RSVP as soon as possible so we can reserve your seats. Simply email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call IsraFest at 1-877-966-5566 to confirm your reservation.
If you are not a sponsor and would like to purchase tickets to Closing Night, they are available online or by phone - call IsraFest at 1-877-966-5566.
We expect a packed house so reserve your seats or purchase tickets now—we hope you will join us in ending the festival on a high note!
Thank you for supporting 25 years of Israeli cinema in New York. We look forward to the next 25!
Meir Fenigstein & everyone at IsraFest Foundation
May 5, 2011 - NEW YORK
25TH ISRAEL FILM FESTIVAL OPENS IN NYC AND CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY WITH JAM-PACKED GALA AT PLAZA HOTEL & AWARDS PRESENTATION AT PARIS THEATRE
LIEV SCHREIBER ~ NAOMI WATTS ~ STANLEY DONEN ~ PHIL DONAHUE ~ MARLO THOMAS ~ MIKE BURSTYN ~ TOVAH FELDSHUH ~ MIRA TZUR ~ MICHA SHAGRIR ~ COUNSEL GENERAL IDO AHARONI ~ MEIR FENIGSTEIN & ISRAELI FILMMAKERS AND ACTORS ALL ON HAND FOR THE FESTIVITIES
SUCCESSFUL OPENING PAVES WAY FOR 12 MORE DAYS OF GREAT FILMS & EVENTS ~ THROUGH MAY 19 ~ AT AMC LOEWS, 84TH & BROADWAY
(New York – May 6) There were paparazzi flashing and tv cameras whirring in the grand Edwardian Room of the famed Plaza Hotel on Thursday (5/5), as the 25th Anniversary Edition of the Israel Film Festival in New York kicked-off with sumptuous VIP & Sponsor party. Festival Founder and Executive Director, Meir Fenigstein, welcomed Honorees Liev Schreiber along with actress Naomi Watts; legendary director of such great films as “Singin’ in the Rain,” “On the Town,” & “Two For the Road,” Stanley Donen; one of Israel’s most venerated filmmakers, Micha Shagrir; and presenters and emcees including television personality Phil Donahue with the lovely Marlo Thomas, entertainer Mike Burstyn, actresses Tovah Feldshuh and Mira Tzur; Israeli Consul General Ido Aharoni; NY Festival Chairman, Ronald S. Guttman; Filmmakers from Israel and the US – including Orly Silbersatz (Actress, Star of Opening Night Film – Intimate Grammar); Igaal Niddam (Director, Brothers); Adam Sanderson (Director, This Is Sodom); Jorge Weller (Director, Salsa Tel Aviv); Roi Warner (Director, 2 Night); Dan Wolman (Director, Gei Oni); Estee Meckelberg (Producer, Land Of Genesis); Shlomi Eldar (Director, Precious Life); and Kirk Simon & Karen Goodman (Directors, 2010 Academy Award® Winning Strangers No More) – on hand to support their films and participate in the Festival events; and scores of appreciated Sponsors and Festival Friends.
Following the splendid reception, the guests moved across the street to the Paris Theatre for the Awards presentation and Opening Night Film. Consul General Ido Aharoni applauded Meir Fenigstein and the Israel Film Festival for the important work of creating a cultural bridge between Israel and the USA for the past 25 years. Everyone in the theatre was transfixed while watching the prepared film clips of the amazing body of work from the evening’s first Honoree, Stanley Donen who had everyone on their feet and cheering as he went up to accept his Lifetime Achievement Award from Phil Donahue. The beautiful actress Mira Tzur was up next to present to the great Micha Shagrir, presented with the IFF Cinematic Achievement Award, whose films will be highlighted throughout the festival. Achievement in Film Award Honoree Liev Schreiber’s turn was next and, fittingly, was about the women in his life… Emcee Tovah Feldshuh talked about playing his mother in “A Walk On The Moon,” then introduced his real life ‘partner in crime,’ and the mother of his children, Naomi Watts, who said “we could be here all night while I talk about this wonderful man,” and, finally to the honoree himself who said that “upon hearing I was being given this honor, I did what every good Jewish boy would do – I called my Mother.” After the Awards, everyone settled in to watch the Opening Night Film, Intimate Grammar.
The 25th Israel Film Festival in New York continues with great films, panels, events and filmmaker Q&A’s through May 19 at the AMC Loews 84th Street 6 (2310 Broadway). For tickets and full schedule of films, please visit: http://www.israelfilmfestival.com; call IsraFest at 1-877-966-5566, or visit the AMC Loews Box Office.
Press Contact: Gary Springer, Springer Associates PR, 212-354-4660, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
April 29, 2011 - NEW YORK
Tickets on sale now for the Opening Night Awards Presentation & New York Premiere of INTIMATE GRAMMAR by Nir Bergman. Before the screening, we will be honoring three remarkable individuals: the legendary Stanley Donen, actor Liev Schreiber and producer/director Micha Shagrir.
Visit the Films & Tickets section of our website and come celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Israel Film Festival in New York!
May 5, 2011 - NEW YORK
OPENING NIGHT GALA & VIP RECEPTION
The Plaza Hotel | 768 5th Avenue, New York | Awards Presentation & Premiere of INTIMATE GRAMMAR | Directed by Nir Bergman | 7:30 PM | The Paris Theatre | 4 West 58th Street, New York
Join celebrities, dignitaries, Israeli filmmakers, sponsors and supporters at this red carpet event celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Israel Film Festival. Guests of honor include legendary Director/Choreographer Stanley Donen, recipient of the 2011 IFF Lifetime Achievement Award; Actor Liev Schreiber, recipient of the 2011 IFF Achievement in Film Award; and Producer/Director, Micha Shagrir, recipient of the 2011 IFF Cinematic Achievement Award. The Award ceremony will be followed by the New York premiere of Nir Bergman’s award-winning film, INTIMATE GRAMMAR, Winner of the Sakura Grand Prix Tokyo International Film Festival and Best Full-Length Feature Film Jerusalem Film Festival.
Tickets for the Opening Night Gala & VIP Reception at The Plaza Hotel: $250.
Tickets must be purchased in advance. For reservations, call 1-877-966-5566.
April 20, 2011 - NEW YORK
Click on FILMS & TICKETS to check out the list of films and screening schedule.
April 18, NEW YORK
Tickets will be available for purchase online for the 25th Anniversary Israel Film Festival in New York beginning Thursday, April 21, 2011!
March 21, LOS ANGELES
Mark your calendar for the 26th ISRAEL FILM FESTIVAL in Los Angeles and Miami.
Los Angeles
OCT 27 - NOV 13, 2011
Miami
DEC 7-15, 2011
March 6, NEW YORK
On March 5th, sponsors of the 25th Israel Film Festival in New York attended a kick-off reception with special guests the Consul General of Israel in New York, Ido Aharoni, and Minister of Public Diplomacy & Diaspora Affairs, Yuli-Yoel Edelstein. Both spoke about the importance of the festival and how Israeli film, art and culture are thriving, and how IFF presents an ideal opportunity to introduce and share these gems with US audiences.
The attendees were then were given a special treat when the lights dimmed and a trailer for the film STRANGERS NO MORE - a documentary film produced and directed by Karen Goodman & Kirk Simon, profiling the Bialik-Rogozin school in south Tel Aviv, where children from 48 different countries and diverse backgrounds come together to learn – which just a mere 5 days prior took home the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short!
Co-Producer/Director Karen Goodman, with her Golden Statuette in tow, addressed the crowd and shared how excited she was that the film was slated to be a part of the IFF in May.
March 5, NEW YORK
Please join us for a kick-off reception of the 25th Anniversary of the Israel Film Festival coming to New York May 5-19, 2011.
On March 5, 2011, at NYIT’s state-of-the-art Auditorium on Broadway, we will be celebrating a quarter-century of Israeli films and filmmakers with our family of sponsors, dignitaries and special guests. The evening includes a private screening of the award-winning film, The Matchmaker, directed by Avi Nesher.
To request more information, call 1-877-966-5566, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or download the invitation from our website.
Due to limited seating, please RSVP as early as possible.
January 17, NEW YORK
Interested in sponsoring a film? We have exciting sponsorship opportunities available!
If you are looking to make an impact on the Jewish demographic in New York, then sponsoring our NY Festival May 5-19, 2011 is just the right opportunity for you! Reach out to this target market, locally and globally, through a wide range of sponsorship levels and special events. Review our expansive list of sponsorship options to find a sponsorship level that meets your need for product promotion/placement, media and onsite presence.
If you find that our current offerings do not fit your needs, please let us know and we can develop a customized sponsorship opportunity just for you. Don’t miss your chance to be seen and reach new markets at the Israel Film Festival NY 2011.
Contact IsraFest at 1-877-966-5566 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to request a sponsorship packet.
January 3, 2011, NEW YORK
If you are looking to make an impact on the Jewish demographic in New York, then sponsoring our NY Festival May 5-19, 2011 is just the right opportunity for you! Reach out to this target market, locally and globally, through a wide range of sponsorship levels and special events. Review our expansive list of sponsorship options to find a sponsorship level that meets your need for product promotion/placement, media and onsite presence.
If you find that our current offerings do not fit your needs, please let us know and we can develop a customized sponsorship opportunity just for you. Don’t miss your chance to be seen and reach new markets at the Israel Film Festival NY 2011.
If you are a nonprofit organization, find out how you can sponsor a film and promote your own organization at the same time. Use your sponsorship as a fundraiser or promotional event to raise awareness about your cause and attract new supporters. Partner with us!
Contact Meir Fenigstein at IsraFest at 1-877-966-5566.
December 31, ISRAEL
It’s truly a miracle that we’re standing on the threshold of the 26th Year of the Israel Film Festival. Wow!
We want to take this opportunity to thank our generous sponsors, caring volunteers and devoted filmgoers - you make it possible for us to keep our passion working in a tangible way. Your support has allowed IsraFest to take the dream of a rock ‘n roll drummer (Poogy from Kaveret) and turn it into the largest showcase of Israeli films in North America.
Our three-city festival is still thriving and most importantly, has provided a crucial stateside platform for Israeli films and filmmakers, promoting cultural recognition of Israel in the U.S.
With your help, we can keep Israel cinema and culture reaching the hearts of people around the world through the powerful medium of film.
We hope you will take a few moments to make a year-end financial contribution by clicking the link below.
Wishing you a healthy, successful and creative New Year!
~Meir Fenigstein and the IsraFest staff
December 23, NEW YORK
Mark your calendars for the 25th Anniversary of the Israel Film Festival in New York!
IFF NEW YORK
May 5-19, 2011
Become a sponsor and help us promote cultural recognition of Israel in the United States through the arts!
Our West Coast festival opened with a red carpet Gala Awards Dinner at the Beverly Hilton where we honored Richard Dreyfuss, Ryan Kavanaugh, Jon Landau and Avi Lerner. Award presenters included Sylvester Stallone and Jim Gianopulos, and the Hollywood community came out to show their support. The Los Angeles portion of the festival attracted its most diverse audience to date with record attendance of 16,000+ filmgoers.
Presented by IsraFest Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to enriching the American vision of Israeli life and culture through the powerful medium of film, the Israel Film Festival is held annually through the generosity of corporate sponsors, community organizations and individual contributors who believe in the importance of our mission. You’ll find a complete list of our sponsors on our website.
Be sure to join our email list and sign up for Festival updates in your city!
For sponsorship inquiries, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 1-877-966-5566.
November 7, LOS ANGELES
On November 7th, the 25th Israel Film Festival wrapped its Los Angeles run with two sold-out screenings of two films racing toward the Oscars:
Precious Life directed by Shlomi Eldar and The Human Resources Manager directed by Eran Riklis.
Many national publications including The Wall Street Journal reported on the festival’s closing night films. You can read WSJ’s coverage at:
A big THANK YOU to everyone who came out to support the films and filmmakers, and helped spread the word about Israeli cinema!
New York and Miami festival dates will be announced shortly, so stay tuned! New York and Miami festivals will both be held in May 2011.
Sponsorship opportunities are currently available. Call IsraFest Foundation at 1-877-966-5566 to request a sponsorship packet or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Be sure to sign up for Festival Updates on our website!
November 7, LOS ANGELES
The 25th Israel Film is making history with TWO Closing Night Screenings of TWO award-winning films!
THE HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER directed by Eran Riklis
Winner of five Israeli Academy Film Awards 2010 including Best Picture and Best Director. This film is Israel’s Oscar entry for Best Foreign Language Film 2011.
PRECIOUS LIFE directed by Shlomi Eldar
Winner of Israeli Film Academy Award 2010 for Best Documentary.
Join us for this historic celebration of the 25th Israel Film Festival in Los Angeles
To order tickets, visit the Films & Tickets section of our website or call IsraFest at 1-877-966-5566
November 4, WEST HOLLYWOOD
THE MATCHMAKER - Additional Screening on Thursday, 11/4
at 9:30pm at Laemmle’s Sunset in West Hollywood!
Set in 1968, The Matchmaker is about an Israeli born teenage boy who gets a summer job with a mysterious matchmaker who takes him on a dangerous coming of age ride into the deepest and darkest urban underbelly of the Six Day War Haifa.
Winner of four Israeli Academy Awards 2010 including Best Actor and Best Actress
Starring: Adir Miller, Maya Dagan, Tuval Shafir, Dror Keren, Dov Navon, Yarden Bar-Kochva, Eli Jaspan
Director: Avi Nesher
113 min. / Rated PG / 35mm / 2010
Watch Trailer:
Tickets available for purchase on our website or at the box office.
November 4, WEST HILLS
BROTHERS - By popular demand, two Additional Screenings added!
Wednesday, 11/3 at 7:15pm at Laemmle’s Sunset 5 in West Hollywood
Thursday, 11/4 at 9:30pm at Laemmle’s Fallbrook 7 in West Hills
Nominated for Best Feature at the European Film Academy 2009, Brothers is about the conflict between two brothers, reflective of a society torn between its religious and political principles that stirs the debate between separation of the state and religion in Israel.
Starring: Baruch Brener, Micha Selektar, Orna Pitussi, Sharon M. Shemesh
Director: Igaal Niddam
116 min. / Rated PG / 35mm / 2010
Watch Trailer:
Tickets available for purchase on our website or at the box office.
October 31, WEST HILLS
The smash-hit Israeli TV series SRUGIM explores the world of young professional singles in the Modern Orthodox community of Jerusalem. Come fall in love with the show that has made Israelis laugh and cry, and has sparked spirited discussion and debate in the Israeli media and around the Zionist world.
Winner of the 2009 Israeli TV Academy Award for best original drama series.
Final screening on Sunday, October 31st at 2:45pm at Laemmle’s Fallbrook 7.
Tickets available online or at the box office.
October 28, West LA
Dan chooses to work on the land, living in a kibbutz in south of Israel. Aaron, his brother is a doctor of law and philosophy and distinguished scholar of the Torah. He comes to Jerusalem from the US to defend the rights of Torah students. The conflict which arises between the two brothers reflects that of a society torn between its religious and political principles. With restrictions on the increase and injustices multi- playing, Israel today is on the brink of civil war. This film opens a subtle yet essential debate on the question of the separation of the state and religion in Israel.
Starring: Baruch Brener, Micha Selektar, Orna Pitussi, Sharon M. Shemesh
Running Time: 116 min. Rated PG | Format: 35mm
Nominated for Best Feature, European Film Academy 2009; Prix du Public, Cinéma Tous Écrans 2008; Best Actress and Best Actor, FIPA D’OR 2009
Tickets can be purchased on our website, at the box office, or by phone—CALL IsraFest at 1-877-966-5566.
October 28, WEST LOS ANGELES
Set in 1968, an Israeli born teenage boy gets a summer job with a holocaust survivor who makes ends meet by brokering marriages and smuggling goods. The Matchmaker’s office is located in the back of a rundown movie theater, run by seven Romanian dwarfs (true story!!!) who were saved from the gas chambers by the infamous doctor Mengale. The dwarfs run nothing but romantic Indian movies in the theater, and may or may not be aware of the illegal goings on in the back. Throughout the summer, the mysterious matchmaker takes the boy on a dangerous coming of age ride into the deepest and darkest urban underbelly of the Six Day War Haifa – where love assumes surprising shapes and forms and history is transformed into mythology.
Starring: Adir Miller, Maya Dagan, Tuval Shafir, Dror Keren, Dov Navon, Yarden Bar-Kochva, Eli Jaspan
Running Time: 113 min. Rated PG | Format: 35mm
Winner of 4 Israeli Academy Awards 2010 including Best Actor and Best Actress, Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2010, Chicago Jewish Film Festival
FINAL SCREENING at Laemmle’s Royal 10/28 at 9:30pm
Tickets can be purchased on our website or at the box office.
October 27, West LA
Herzl is a shy, 340 pound man living with his mother in Ramle. Fired from his job because of his unpresentable image and dumped by his weight-loss group because he keeps adding rather than shedding pounds, he takes a job as a dishwasher in a Japanese restaurant. There, he discovers the one activity where girth is a virtue and fat guys can be rock stars - sumo wrestling! He and three obese friends begin a rigorous training program and follow their path from body shame to body celebration and from loneliness to love. With echoes of The Full Monty, this is a hilarious yet tender film.
ONLY TWO SCREENINGS LEFT!
Laemmle’s Royal
Oct. 27 9:30pm
Laemmle’s Fallbrook
Oct. 30 9:30pm
Tickets can be purchased on our website or at the box office.
November 7, LOS ANGELES
Join us for a very special Closing Night Celebration of the 25th Israel Film Festival with THE HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER - Winner of five Israeli Academy Film Awards 2010 including Best Picture and Best Director. This film is Israel’s Oscar entry for Best Foreign Language Film 2011.
About the Film
Jerusalem’s largest bakery is making news. When one of their female employees is killed in a suicide bombing and her body remains unclaimed, they are accused of inhumanity and indifference. The HR Manager embarks on a complex journey, from Jerusalem to Frozen Romania. He finds himself leading an awkward convoy including her rebellious son, a pesky journalist, a quirky consul, an old veteran driver and a coffin. Far from home, the HR Manager rediscovers his own humanity and his ability to care for human resources.
Q&A with director Eran Riklis, producer Haim Mecklberg, and actor Mark Ivanir
November 7, 2010 - 5:00pm
Laemmle’s Royal Theatre
11523 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Los Angeles 90025
Dessert Reception to follow at The Village
Tickets can be purchased online at www.IsraelFilmFestival.com or call IsraFest at 1-877-966-5566 to purchase by phone. Advance Tickets are also available at the box office.
October 23, BEVERLY HILLS
A special cocktail reception for sponsors of the 25th Anniversary of the Israel Film Festival at a private home in Beverly Hills. A great time to network with the Festival’s sponsors and meet Israeli filmmakers, entertainment professionals, business owners and community leaders.
To attend this event and/or request a sponsorship packet, please call 1-323-966-4166 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
October 21, LOS ANGELES
October 20, BEVERLY HILLS
Join us on October 20th for an extraordinary evening – the Gala Awards Dinner of the 25th Israel Film Festival in Los Angeles – celebrating a quarter-century of Israeli cinema in the United States!
This Hollywood salute to Israel will celebrate films, filmmakers and IFF’s 25th Anniversary, as well as those individuals who have made countless contributions to the entertainment industry.
To attend the Gala Awards Dinner and/or place a company ad or personal message in the Festival Tribute Journal, please call Levy, Pazanti & Associates at (310) 201-5033.
October 13, LOS ANGELES
TICKETS for the 25th Israel Film Festival in Los Angeles are on sale now. For a complete list of films and screening times, visit the Films & Tickets section at www.IsraelFilmFestival.com or CALL IsraFest at 1-877-966-5566. Tickets can also be purchased at the Box Office. Get a Festival Pass Book for 5 films and save $10.
October 8, LOS ANGELES
Promote your business or organization by placing a company ad or personal message in the 25th Anniversary Festival Tribute Journal and reach more than 30,000 filmgoers in Los Angeles!
September 15, LOS ANGELES
All film submissions must be primarily in Hebrew with English subtitles and produced in Israel.
Submissions must be accompanied with a Synopsis, Complete Credits, and Director’s bio in English.
Films must be on DVD in either PAL or NTSC format and at least forty-five (45) minutes in length.
Submitted films must NOT have been released commercially, broadcast or screened in other Film Festivals in the U.S. prior to the opening of the 25th Israel Film Festival in the city where the Festival is taking place.
Films completed or released before 2009 are not eligible for submission.
Person submitting must have legal authority to submit film or secured rights to exhibit the film.
Submissions must be accompanied with an official submission form, fully completed, for consideration. To request the submission form, call 1-877-966-5566 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The film submission deadline is September 15, 2010.
