The Israeli cinema industry is a great success story by every standard – both local and international. Israeli feature films have managed to make the crossover and touch the hearts and souls of hundreds of thousands of viewers throughout the world. In its cinematic expression of the essence of Israeli society in all its colours, shades and forms, Israeli cinema maintains freedom of art and creativity and presents unique perspectives into the cultural multiversity of Israeli society, and in many cases, society in general.
From the beginning of the 21st century, Israeli cinema has gone through a dramatic period as it regained recognition and acclaim in Israel and throughout the world. Two decades after the legislation of the Cinema Law in 2000, Israeli cinema has established itself as a major and leading art form in Israel dealing with the most relevant, challenging and often controversial issues and stories.
Funding for filmmaking is forwarded exclusively through the film funds, financed by the Ministry of Culture and Sport of the State of Israel, and The Israel Film Council. The Israeli film funds support the production, completion and development of film projects, as well as other film-related initiatives.
Two major funds in Israel support narrative full-length feature films, the Israel Film Fund which solely supports feature film production, and Israel Cinema Project by the Rabinovich Foundation, which supports the production of full-length feature films, documentaries, and student films. Three other funds work alongside these two funds, the New Cinema and Television Fund which supports documentary films and multicultural projects, the Gesher Multicultural Fund which supports multicultural projects and short films, and the Makor Fund which supports documentary films and short films. Apart from these national funds, there are also seven different regions in Israel.
Over the years, Israel has developed a flourishing film industry, acknowledged by the most prestigious international film festivals worldwide. The films created by Israeli filmmakers are innovative, challenging, and fascinating, capturing critics' and audiences' attention throughout the world. In addition, film crews in Israel are seasoned professionals, with vast experience working with both European and American productions, in addition to the blooming local industry. Apart from this manpower, Israel is unique in its very diverse climate and location types within the framework of a very small country. From desert to snowy mountains and the seaside, from modern cities to traditional stone villages, everything is within a few hours’ drive.
From: Karaoke, directed by Moshe Rosenthal
International Co-Production is a mainstay of the Israel film industry, creating creative and financial cooperation and partnerships and mutually beneficial relationships between Israel and varied film industries from around the world.
Israel has signed over 20 Co-Production treaties with European countries. The Israeli funds are highly receptive to co-productions, assisting producers in every way to make co-productions as easy as possible. The funds are open in terms of subject matter and artistic expression and are chosen based on their excellence and the promising filmmakers creating them. The basic demand is that they comply with the relevant regulations of each treaty.
From: My Neighbor Adolf, directed by Leon Prudovsky
The Israel Film Archive, based at the Jerusalem Cinematheque, safeguards the long-term preservation and worldwide access to the visual history of the State of Israel and the Jewish people. With over 32,000 film reels of Israeli and Jewish-themed titles – features, documentaries, student films, and more, many of which are exclusive copies – the Israel Film Archive serves as the national repository of the country’s rich audiovisual heritage. In recent years, the Israel Film Archive has set out on an ambitious and comprehensive plan to digitize, digitally preserve, and offer worldwide public access to the Archive’s collections.
From: Virginity, directed by Maor Zaguri
ISRAEL CINEMA PROJECT – RABINOVICH FOUNDATION
Yoav Abramovich - Joint Director-General and Artistic Director
Osnat Bukofzer - Director of International Affairs and Co-Production
ISRAEL FILM FUND
Dr. Noa Regev - CEO & Artistic Director
Dana Goren Solomon– Head of International Affairs and Special Projects
Directors Attending: Ehab Tarabieh, Eitan Anner, Esti Shushan, Hadar Morag, Leon Prudovsky, Ma'ayan Rypp, Maor Zaguri, Mordechai Vardi, Moshe Rosenthal, Nitzan Gilady, Or Sinai, Shahar Rozen.
Producers Attending: Adi Bar Yosef, Ayelet Kait, David Silber, Hadar Kostizky, Itay Akirav, Omer Rogovin, Oren Rogovin, Ronen Ben Tal, Shira Hochman, Sivan Cohen, Tomer Mecklberg, Elad Peleg, Liana Mimran Osadon
From: In Bed, directed by Nitzan Gilady
Please join the panel discussion on 23 November at 14.00 (EET) at Nordic Hotel Forum Capella
THE ISRAEL FILM INDUSTRY THROUGH THE LENS OF THE DIRECTOR
Israeli directors will discuss the advantages and challenges of working in the Israeli Film industry, as well as the difficulties and opportunities in a field that is constantly evolving, along with their sources of inspiration.
Moderator: Osnat Bukofzer
Participants: Esti Shushan, Ma'ayan Rypp, Nitzan Gilady, Mordechai Vardi, Shahar Rozen, Moshe Rosenthal, Maor Zaguri.