News Updates
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)
