The Israeli Film Festival is returning to Los Angeles after a multi-year hiatus.
The 36th edition of the fest arrives over one year into the Israel-Hamas War that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and hurled the country into an existential crisis, while also stoking anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiment around the world.
Despite the unprecedented hurdles, festival organizers feel the time is right to remount the event.
“Although this year has presented significant challenges for Israel as well as the Jewish and Israeli communities worldwide, we decided to move forward with the festival after postponing it for two-and-a-half years,” Meir Fenigstein, the fest’s founder and executive director, tells The Hollywood Reporter.
“We are a non-political organization. Our screenings are open to the public and all are welcome. Saying that, we significantly increased security measures at all screenings across venues to ensure the safety and comfort of our guests,” Fenigstein adds.
The fest will run from Nov. 13 to Nov. 26 and screen 40 features, documentaries and short films produced by Israeli filmmakers. Participants must be Israeli citizens either currently living there, or who have lived and been educated there in the past and/or have strong Israeli ancestry. Palestinian and Israeli Arab filmmakers that meet those requirements have been included in the festival in years past, though none are represented in this year’s lineup.
Come Closer, Israel’s Academy Award submission for best international film from female writer-director Tom Nesher, will premiere at the fest, serving as the opening night gala screening. Soda, directed by Erez Tadmor, will have a special sneak preview as the centerpiece film event.
Ynon Kreiz, Mattel chairman and CEO, who helped spearhead its blockbuster feature Barbie, will be presented with the 2024 IFF Industry Leadership Award at the opening gala ceremony. Israeli comedian and actor Shaike Levi will receive the 2024 IFF Lifetime Achievement Award at the closing night ceremony.
The Saban Theatre, WGA Theater and Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills will all serve as venues.
For the full lineup visit the festival website.
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