Press Releases

August 25, LOS ANGELES

Relativity's Ryan Kavanaugh to be honored at Opening Night Gala for 25th Anniversary Israel Film Festival

Los Angeles, CA (August 25, 2010).  Ryan Kavanaugh, CEO and Founder of Relativity Media, LLC (Relativity) will be honored with the 2010 IFF Achievement in Film Award at the milestone 25th Anniversary Gala Awards Dinner of the Israel Film Festival taking place on Wednesday, October 20th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.  The Israel Film Festival will present over 40 films and runs in Los Angeles from October 20 – November 4.

Kavanaugh has created business and financial structures for a number of studios, production companies and producers, and has introduced over $10 billion of capital to these structures. Past structures and deals include Sony, Universal, Warner Bros., Marvel and many others. Kavanaugh has acquired a wealth of strategic assets including Rogue Pictures, and the marketing and distribution operations of Overture Films. He recently reached a first of its kind TV pay deal with Netflix.

As a producer, Ryan Kavanaugh’s personal production line-up includes: Tarsem Singh’s WAR OF GODS, an epic action adventure film in the vein of 300, and David O. Russell’s THE FIGHTER starring Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale.  Kavanaugh’s recent films include Universal’s MAMMA MIA and A SERIOUS MAN; Lionsgate’s BROTHERS and 3:10 TO YUMA; The Weinstein Company’s NINE; Screen Gems’ DEAR JOHN; and under Rogue Pictures, LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT, THE UNBORN and THE STRANGERS.

“Ryan Kavanaugh’s accomplishments within the film industry command the highest respect, making him the ideal recipient for the IFF Outstanding Achievement in Film Award,” said Festival Founder and Executive Director, Meir Fenigstein.  “His innovativeness as a producer and executive combined with his support of the Jewish community and Israel are most admirable,” added Fenigstein.

Past IFF Achievement in Film Award recipients include Edward Zwick, Paul Schrader, Carl Reiner, Rob Reiner and Sacha Baron Cohen.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary with events in Los Angeles, New York and Miami, the Israel Film Festival is the largest showcase of Israeli films in the United States. 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 program presents 40 films in various venues with multiple screenings taking place at the Laemmle Sunset 5 in West Hollywood, the Royal in West Los Angeles, and the Laemmle Fallbrook 7 in West Hills. A complete list of films to be presented at this year’s festival will be announced shortly.

About the Israel Film Festival
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 Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles and sponsored in part by the Israel Film Fund, LeRoy & Shoshana Schecter Foundation, Nu Image/Millennium Films, Rabinovich Foundation-Cinema Project and Bank Leumi 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 Honorary Committee includes Avi Arad, Mark Canton, Gil Cates, Michael Douglas, Meyer Gottlieb, Penny Marshall, Mike Medavoy, Bette Midler, Rob Reiner, Terry Semel, Nina Tassler, and many others.

Proceeds from the Gala Awards Dinner will provide funds to support the IsraFest Foundation and scholarship funds at the top six film schools in Israel.

For additional information, visit www.IsraelFilmFestival.com or call toll-free 1-877-966-5566.