30th
IsraFest Foundation, Inc. Presents
Israel Film Festival
WELCOME TO THE
30th ISRAEL FILM FESTIVAL
Dear Friends,
LOS ANGELES november 9 - 23, 2016
On behalf of the IsraFest Foundation, Inc. and its
family of filmmakers and sponsors, I would like to
welcome you to our 30th Anniversary ISRAEL FILM
FESTIVAL in Los Angeles.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION:
OPENING NIGHT
Premiere
SCREENING
Israel’s Official Entry to the 2017 Academy Awards for
Best Foreign Language Film - SAND STORM
SAND STORM
By Director: Elite Zexer
Thursday, Nov 10, 2016 I 7:30pm
Special Screening Followed by a Q&A with SAND
STORM Director Elite Zexer & 10 Israeli Filmmaker
Guests of the Festival At Laemmle Ahrya Fine Arts
8556 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Sunday November 13, 2016 | 7:15pm
Tickets: $25.00
Winner Best Feature Film & Best Director – Israeli
Academy (Ophir) Awards, 2016
THE WOMEN’S
BALCONY
ON THE MAP CENTERPIECE SCREENING
Director: Emil Ben-Shimon
ON THE MAP
Steve Tisch Cinema Center,
Saban Theatre
8440 Wilshire Blvd.,
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
LA Premiere Screening Followed by a Q&A with
Director Dani Menkin, Executive Producer Nancy
Spielberg, and Macabbi Tel Aviv’s Basketball
Legend Tal Brody
At Laemmle Ahrya Fine Arts
8556 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Thursday, November 17, 2016 | 7:15 pm
Tickets: $25.00
Starring: Evelin Hagoel, Igal Naor, Orna Banay,
Einat Sarouf, Aviv Alush, Itzik Cohen, Yafit Asulin,
Sharona Elimelech, Herzl Tobey, Haim Znati
LAEMMLE AHRYA FINE ARTS | (310) 659-9171
LAEMMLE TOWN CENTER 5 | (818) 981-9847
8556 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills CA 90211
17200 Ventura Blvd., #121 Encino, CA 91316
For Tickets Call 310-247-1800
| www.israelfilmfestival.com
Anniversary GALA
AWARDS DINNER
Wednesday, November 9, 2016 | 6:30 pm
Beverly Wilshire Hotel | Cocktail Reception 6:30 pm | Awards Presentation & Dinner 7:30 pm
Join dignitaries, celebrities, and sponsors at the Festival’s most glamorous event, honoring Academy
Award Winning Actress & Filmmaker Natalie Portman with the 2016 IFF Achievement in Film Award,
Academy Award Nominee & Golden Globe Award Winning Actress Sharon Stone with with the
2016 IFF Career Achievement Award. and The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles President & CEO
Jay Sanderson with the 2016 IFF Community Leadership Award.
Honoring
This is an exciting new chapter in our festival’s
ongoing adventure—the largest showcase of Israeli
films in the United States, and one of its oldest and
most prestigious foreign film festival. Our story began
three decades ago in a single crowded theatre, with
a small but dedicated band of moviegoers who
helped spread the word to new sponsors and audiences, making the festival the
global cultural event that it is today.
Since then, more than a million people have seen close to 1,000 films at our
Festivals, introduced by 450 of Israel’s most talented filmmakers. This year, from
November 9th to the 23rd, we are pleased to introduce one of our finest rosters
yet—remarkable feature films, thought-provoking documentaries, innovative
television series, and outstanding shorts.
In this anniversary year, we extend our sincerest congratulations to this year’s
Festival honorees: Academy Award winning actress & filmmaker Natalie
Portman, Academy Award Nominee & Golden Globe Award Winning
actress Sharon Stone and President of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los
Angeles Jay Sanderson.
We would not be able to offer such an amazing experience without our Honorary
Committee, the Hollywood Community, and the various corporations,
foundations, and individuals who continue to provide their generous support.
Your contribution to the Festival, presented by IsraFest Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)
(3) non-profit organization, is how we continue our vital mission: to foster
tolerance and understanding amongst diverse audiences, and to enrich Israel’s
vital link to America and the world.
And so we would like to applaud you, our audience, for becoming part of the
future of the ISRAEL FILM FESTIVAL. Thank you all!
I look forward to this and many more adventures together. The best, as they say,
is yet to come.
Sincerely,
Meir Fenigstein
Founder and Executive Director
IsraFest Foundation, Inc.
SAND STORM
Elite Zexer – Director
Estee Yacov Mecklberg – Producer
THE LAST BAND IN LEBANON
Itzik Kricheli – Director & Producer
Elad Gavish – Producer
OUR FATHER
Meni Yaish – Director
ON THE MAP
Dani Menkin – Director
Nancy Spielberg –
Executive Producer
Tal Brody – Macabbi Tel Aviv’s
Basketball Legend
AMOR
Raphael Rebibo – Director
Natalie Portman
2016 IFF Achievement
in Film Award
Sharon Stone
2016 IFF Career
Achievement Award
Jay Sanderson
2016 IFF Community
Leadership Award
Tickets for the Anniversary Gala Awards Dinner at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel:
$500 per seat and $5,000 per table. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
For reservations call 310.247.1800 or go to www.israelfilmfestival.com
Join us for this year’s celebration...
FOUR BY FOUR
Shay Kanot – Director
Ofer Naim – Producer
A.K.A. NADIA
Estee Yacov Mecklberg – Producer
THE WONDERFUL KINGDOM
OF PAPA ALAEV
Noam Pinchas – Co-Director
Tal Barda – Co-Director
FOREVER PURE
Maya Zinshtein – Director
AN AVERAGE STORY
Kobi Azran – Producer
To purchase tickets online visit us at
www.israelfilmfestival.com
or call IsraFest Foundation, Inc. at 1-310-247-1800
HONORARY CHAIRMAN
Arnon Milchan
DINNER CHAIR
Beverly Cohen
HONORARY COMMITTEE
Sheldon G. Adelson
Beny Alagem
Gila Almagor
Avi Arad
Arthur Cohen
Robert DeNiro
Danny Dimbort
Michael Douglas
Richard Dreyfuss
Meyer Gottlieb
Peter Guber
Goldie Hawn
Dustin Hoffman
Lainie Kazan
Avi Lerner
Amir J. Malin
Penny Marshall
David Matalon
Mike Medavoy
Maestro Zubin Mehta
Bette Midler
Rob Reiner
Shaul Rikman
Jane Rosenthal
Katriel Schory
Terry Semel
Hon. David Siegel
Douglas Warner
Zev Yaroslavsky
Daphna E. Ziman
Join celebrities, dignitaries, Israeli filmmakers, sponsors, and supporters at the star-studded
Anniversary Gala Awards Dinner honoring Academy Award Winning Actress & Filmmaker Natalie
Portman with the 2016 IFF Achievement in Film Award, Academy Award Nominee & Golden
Globe Winner Sharon Stone with the 2016 IFF Career Achievement Award, President & CEO
of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles Jay Sanderson with the 2016 IFF Community
Leadership Award.
Tickets for the Anniversary Gala Awards Dinner at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel: $500 per seat and
$5,000 per table. Tickets must be purchased in advance. For reservations call 310.247.1800 or
go to www.israelfilmfestival.com
OPENING NIGHT PREMIERE SCREENING
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | 7:30 pm
Steve Tisch Cinema Center at Saban Theatre | 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Dessert Reception to follow screening.
The US Premiere of THE WOMEN’S BALCONY, directed by Emil Ben-Shimon. Official Selection
– 2016 Toronto International Film Festival Tickets for the Opening Night Premiere Screening at
the Saban Theatre: $45 per seat. Tickets must be purchased in advance. For reservations call
310.247.1800 or go to www.israelfilmfestival.com
SPECIAL SCREENING & PANEL WITH ISRAELI FILMMAKERS
Sunday, November 13, 2016 | 5:30 pm | Tickets: $25.00
LAEMMLE Ahrya Fine Arts Theater | 8556 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Sand Storm Director: Elite Zexer
Israel’s Official Entry to the 2017 Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
Winner Best Feature Film & Best Director – Israeli Academy (Ophir) Awards, 2016
Following the screening there will be a panel discussion and Q&A with Sand Storm director Elite
Zexer and 10 Israeli filmmaker guests, including veteran directors and producers, as well as up
and coming filmmakers who will share fresh perspectives on the Israeli film industry.
CENTERPIECE SCREENING - ON THE MAP LA Premiere
Thursday, November 17, 2016 | 7:15 pm | Tickets: $25.00
LAEMMLE Ahrya Fine Arts Theater | 8556 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211
On The Map Director: Dani Menkin
Co-sponsored by UCLA Y&S Nazarian Ctr. for Israel Studies
In honor of the late Israeli actress, Ronit Elkabetz we will be screening two of her most memorable
films. She won the prestigious Israeli Academy (Ophir) Award for Best Actress for her critically
acclaimed performance as the wonderful and kind-hearted restaurant owner, Dina in Eran Kolirin’s
celebrated film THE BAND’S VISIT. She received accolades from around the world including Venice,
Palm Springs, Chicago, Jerusalem and from the Cannes Film Festival the prestigious France
Culture Award for both her acting and directing endeavors in the film GETT: THE TRIAL OF VIVIANE
AMSALEM part of a celebrated trilogy of films that she co-directed with her brother Shlomi. Though
she is no longer with us, her spirit lives on through these incredible films and her tour de force
performances.
SPECIAL Presentation: A Tale of Love and Darkness
Directed by Natalie Portman
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2016 | 7:15 pm
LAEMMLE Ahrya Fine Arts Theater | 8556 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211
A Tale of Love and Darkness, directorial debut of this year’s 30th IFF Award for Achievement in
Film - Natalie Portman. One screening only, based on the life and work of Amos Oz, written,
directed and starring Natalie Portman. Premiered at the Cannes Film Festival 2015.
30TH ISRAEL FILM FESTIVAL AT THE AMERICAN FILM
MARKET
For the second year in the row, the ISRAEL FILM FESTIVAL;will have a booth at the American Film
Market (AFM) to position the Israeli film industry as part of the worldwide marketplace. With over
8,000 buyers and sellers from over 70 countries and major distribution studios, the AFM is one of
the largest and most prestigious film markets in the world.
BENEFIT NIGHT SCREENING
THe Last band in Lebanon
Saturday, NOVEMBER 12, 2016 | 9:45 pm
LAEMMLE Ahrya Fine Arts Theater | 8556 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Sponsored by the Israeli House
Following the screening there will be a Q&A with Director/Producer Itzik Kricheli and Producer
Elad Gavish.
We would like to thank the following sponsors
for their generous support
FOUNDER / DIRECTOR
Meir Fenigstein
Beverly Wilshire Hotel | 9500 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211
TRIBUTE SCREENING TO THE LATE RONIT ELKABETZ
We are delighted to welcome to the Festival the following Israeli
filmmakers who will present their films and conduct brief Q & A
sessions during the first week of the festival.
EVERYTHING IS BROKEN
UP & DANCES
Ziv Berkovitch –
Director of Photography
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2016 | 6:30 pm
Following the screening there will be a panel discussion and Q&A with director Dani Menkin,
Executive Producer Nancy Spielberg, and Macabbi Tel Aviv’s Basketball Legend Tal Brody.
SPECIAL GUESTS
ONE WEEK AND A DAY
Asaph Polonsky – Director
ANNIVERSARY GALA AWARDS DINNER
BENEFACTOR SPONSORS
Ami Real Estate, Inc.
Batia & Aleeza Hair Salon
CADFab Digital
IsraFest Foundation, Inc. &
The Consulate General of Israel
in Los Angeles
requests the pleasure of your com
pany at the
PREMIER Sponsors
30TH ISRAEL FILM FESTIVAL
The Largest Celebrati
Feldman Family Foundation
Giora (Guy) & Nora Orner
Goldrich Family Foundation
Official Sponsors
Janine & Peter Lowy
Joint Effort Medical Wellness
Honoring:
Max Webb
NATALIE PORTMAN
2016 IFF ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM
AWARD
Maya Steel Fabrication
Major Sponsors
2016 IFF COMMUNITY LEADERSH
IP AWARD
The Jewish Federation of Greater
Los Angeles began building the
bridge between Hollywood and
twenty-five years ago. The Fede
Israel
ration’s groundbreaking “Master
Class” introduced Israel’s exciting
and television industry to Hollywo
film
od. With the Federation’s countless
Hollywood Missions to Israel, the
Federation has exposed Hollywood’s
most prominent executives, producer
s, directors, agents and actors to
Israel and introduced Israel’s leading
filmmakers, executives, writers and
acto
rs to Hollywood. Jay Sanderson,
the President and CEO of the Jew
ish Federation of Greater Los Ang
eles
,
will
accept the Award on behalf of
the Federation.
Quality Acceptance
Roderick Sherwood - Cinemoi
Ruth Flinkman Marandy &
Ben Marandy
Toby Hollenberg
DONOR SPONSORS
2016 IFF CAREER ACHIEVEMENT
AWARD
JAY SANDERSON
Molly & Israel Weinberg
Raya & Meir Yariv
SHARON STONE
Award-winning actress and hum
anitarian Sharon Stone received
a Golden Globe Award and Osc
nomination for her work in Martin
ar
Scorsese’s Casino. Other film cred
its include Basic Instinct, The Mus
Sphere, Total Recall, Sliver, Bob
e,
by, The Quick and the Dead, Alph
a Dog, Fading Gigolo, Lovelace
The Masterpiece and Mosaic. Ston
,
e earned an Emmy for her role on
The Practice and recently starred
“Agent X”. Stone’s humanitarian wor
in
k includes charity relief for Hurrican
e Katrina, working as the Global
Fundraising Chairperson for amfAR,
as well as a committee chair with
YAL A. She is a Knight Commander
of France. In 2007, Stone received
a Doctor of Philosophy degree from
Edinboro State Universit y.
IDB Bank
Isaac Cohen
on of Israeli Cinema in the U.S.
An Academy-Award winning actress,
filmmaker and philanthropist, Nat
alie Portman first charmed audienc
in Luc Besson’s The Professional.
es
Since then, she has starred in over
25
films, including Beautiful Girls, Cold
Mountain and Closer. In 2011,
she received an Oscar for her perf
ormance in Darren Aronofsky’s Blac
Swan. Portman has also taken on
k
a variety of roles behind the lens
inclu
ding A Tale of Love and Darkness
which she wrote, directed, and starr
,
ed in. She will next be seen as Jacq
ueline Kennedy in Pablo Larrain’s
Jackie, to be released by Fox Sea
rchlight in December 2016. Port
man also serves as Ambassador
and volunteers for Children’s Hos
of WE
pital of Los Angeles. A Har vard
graduate, Portman has also stud
Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
ied at
Dan & Zahava Israely
David Geffen Foundation
ANNIVERSARY GALA AWARDS
DINNER
of the
Danny & Zvia Dimbort
Ahrya Fine Arts
Advantage Video Systems
Dan & Zippi Bochner
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
David Caidar
Hollywood Foreign Press
Association
IP Book
Irving Kaufman Accountancy
HOSPITALITY
Corporation
Jay Sanderson
Jerry & Dina Agam
Latham & Watkins LLP.
Lily Artenstein
Sam Delug
Sandstone Properties Inc.
The Sandel Family Foundation
Wednesday, November 9,
2016 | 6:30 pm
The Beverly Wilshire Hotel
MEDIA SPONSORS
SUPPORTERs
9500 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly
Hills, CA 90211
For more information, please call
IsraFest Foundation, Inc.
at 310-247-1800 or email info@Is
raelFilmFestival.org
Business Attire | Cocktail Recepti
on at 6:30pm | Dinner & Awards
Ceremony at 7:30pm
A presentation of IsraFest Foundation, Inc. 324 South Beverly Drive #424, Beverly Hills, CA 90212 | www.israelfilmfestival.com
Key art designed by eclipse
Varda & Haim Temkin
A+ Insurance
Canfield Development
The Choueke Family
patrons
Jean & Jerry Friedman
Haifa Film Festival
Jerusalem Film Festival
Larger Than Life - L.A. Family
Dr. Mel & Sara Kinder
Shanit & Sam Schwartz
30th
IsraFest Foundation, Inc. Presents
Israel Film festiVal
LAEMMLE Ahrya FINE ARTS
(310) 659-9171
LOS ANGELES NOVEMBER 9 – 23, 2016
FEATURE DRAMAS
OPENING NIGHT SCREENING
U.S. Premiere
U.S. Premiere
Israel’s Official Entry to
The 2017 Academy Awards
LAEMMLE TOWN CENTER 5
(818) 981-9847
Anniversary GALA
AWARDS DINNER
U.S. Premiere
Wednesday, November 9, 2016 | 6:30 pm
Beverly Wilshire Hotel | Cocktail Reception 6:30 pm | Awards Presentation & Dinner 7:30 pm
‫ישמח חתני‬
THE WOMEN’S BALCONY
Directed by: Emil Ben-Shimon
When the women’s balcony of an Orthodox synagogue collapses, a
charismatic new rabbi arrives to restore calm…but soon creates a
rift between the community’s men and women, testing friendships
and traditions. See why TIFF has called it “a rousing, good-humored
tale of women speaking truth to power.” (2016, 96 Min)
2016 Toronto International Film Festival – Official Selection, 2016
Israeli Academy (Ophir) Awards – 5 Nominations
‫סופת חול‬
SAND STORM
BEYOND THE MOUNTAINS & HILLS
Directed by: ELITE ZEXER
A Bedouin woman is put in the awkward position of hosting her
husband’s marriage to a second, much younger wife. Female
empowerment clashes with traditional male dominance in this
riveting, intimate tale of love and betrayal set in a remote
Bedouin village in southern Israel. (2016, 87 Min)
2016 Sundance – Winner, Grand Jury Prize, 2016 Festival del film
Locarno – Official Selection, 2016 Israeli Academy (Ophir) Awards
Winner – Best Picture, Best Director, Israel’s official entry to the 2017
Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film Special Guests,
Dir. Elite Zexer & Prod. Estee Yacov Mecklberg
L.A. Premiere
‫מעבר להרים ולגבעות‬
Directed by: Eran Kolirin
What does it mean to “come home” when the home you knew
no longer exists? Discharged from the army after a lifetime of
military service, a veteran struggles to adapt to the “new Israel”
of material success. Writer-director Eran Kolirin (The Band’s Visit,
The Exchange) weaves an intricate tale of a country in transition.
(2016, 90 Min)
‫שבוע ויום‬
ONE WEEK AND A DAY
‫אבינו‬
OUR FATHER
Directed by: Asaph Polonsky
In the span of a single, life-changing day, a grieving father steals
his late son’s medical marijuana and hangs out with his estranged
neighbor’s son while his wife struggles to return to her daily
routine – fighting off school teachers, stray kittens, and dental
clinic workers. “Confidently directed and beautifully played.” –
Hollywood Reporter. (2016, 98 Min)
Directed by: Meni Yaish
Desperate to build a family, a decent man is drawn into a life of
crime in this gritty tale of underworld brutality and conflicting loyalties,
starring real-life husband and wife acting duo, Moris Cohen and Rotem
Zisman - Cohen. (2016, 105 Min)
2016 Cannes – Official Selection, Un Certain Regard
2016 Israeli Academy (Ophir) Awards Nominee – Best Picture, Best
Director, Best Screenwriter
2016 Cannes - Official Selection
2016 Israeli Academy (Ophir) Awards Nominee – Best Picture, Best
Director, Best Screenwriter
Special Guest, Dir. Meni Yaish
U.S. Premiere
U.S. Premiere
U.S. Premiere
Join dignitaries, celebrities, and sponsors at the Festival’s most glamorous event, honoring Academy Award
Winning Actress & Filmmaker Natalie Portman with the 2016 IFF Achievement in Film Award, Academy
Award Nominee & Golden Globe Award Winning Actress Sharon Stone with the 2016 IFF Career
Achievement Award. and The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles President & CEO Jay Sanderson
with the 2016 IFF Community Leadership Award.
Honoring
2016 Israeli Academy (Ophir) Awards Winner – Best Actor & Nominee –
Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenwriter
Special Guest, Dir. Asaph Polonsky
U.S. Premiere
Natalie Portman
2016 IFF Achievement
in Film Award
WOUNDED LAND
‫ארץ פצועה‬
Directed by: Erez Tadmor
Officer Kobi Amar and his Region Commander Yehuda Neumann,
longtime partners in the Haifa police force, think they know each
other inside out. Then a brutal terror attack forces one of them to
turn against the other – pitting professional duty against personal
loyalties in a tautly paced thriller with surprise twists at every
turn. (2015, 80 Min)
2015 Israeli Academy (Ophir) Awards Winner – Best Actor and Best
Director, Nominee – Best Picture
‫הכל שבור ורוקד‬
EVERYTHING IS BROKEN UP AND DANCES
Directed by: Nony Geffen
When Nony, a shy college student, is traumatized by his
experiences in the Third Lebanon War, a psychiatrist convinces
his friends and family to play along with Nony’s delusion that
he is now an undiscovered rock musician named Amnon.
(2016, 85 Min)
Special Guest, Dir. of Photography Ziv Berkovich
U.S. Premiere
‫אמור‬
AMOR
Directed by: Rafael Rebibo
Love faces its ultimate test when Daniel returns home to find that
the love of his life, a former ballet teacher, has been bedridden
in a hospital for three years. Can Daniel do the unimaginable and
give her the release she cannot bring herself… and what price
will he pay if he does? (2016, 82 Min)
Special Guest, Dir. Raphael Rebibo
U.S. Premiere
‫נדיה שם זמני‬
‫ילד טוב ירושלים‬
Directed by: TOVA ASCHER
Maya is a happily married mother of two. She is a successful
choreographer and everything seems to be perfect...but this life
is a lie. Unbeknownst to her family and everyone around her, she
has a hidden past. (2015, 115 Min).
Directed by: Roee Florentin
When Adi was five years old, his father made him swear to be
a good boy and always be responsible. It’s taken Adi years to
realize just how high a price he’s paid for keeping that promise
- until the day he meets sweet, free-spirited Natalia and must
choose between duty and romance. (2016, 103 Min)
‫אבוללה‬
ABULELE
Directed by: Jonathan Geva
Monsters aren’t always to be feared. That is what 10-year-old
Adam discovers when an ancient creature named Abulele finds him.
The two outcasts soon become fast friends. Abulele helps Adam
deal with his tormentors, and Adam puts himself at risk to protect
his new friend from Special Forces in pursuit. (2015, 96 Min)
Tribute Screening for the Late
Ronit Elkabetz
THE LAST BAND IN LEBANON
Tribute Screening for the Late
Ronit Elkabetz
‫ארבע על ארבע‬
‫ המשפט של ויויאן אמסלם‬- ‫גט‬
Directed by: Ronit Elkabetz, Shlomi Elkabetz
In Israel, there is neither civil marriage nor civil divorce. Both
can only be performed by a rabbi… and both require the
consent of the husband. Trapped in marriage for three years,
Viviane Amsalem is determined to defy both her husband and the
authorities to win her freedom. (2014, 115 Min)
Directed by: Eran Kolirin
Strangers in a strange land, eight Egyptian members of the
Alexandria Ceremonial Police Orchestra arrive by mistake in a small
town in Israel’s Negev Desert. A restaurant owner named Dina (Ronit
Elkabetz) comes to their rescue, overcoming ethnic barriers to offer
them food, lodging, and much-needed sympathy. (2007, 87 Min)
Special Guest, Prod. Estee Yacov Mecklberg
Directed by: Shay Kanot
A reckless boast leads to near catastrophe in this wild tale of
an off-road vehicle that goes way off the map. Three high-tech
employees and their thrill-seeking boss go in search of a mythical
beach resort… then wind up lost in the desert, on the run from
hostile Bedouins and aided by a sheikh’s gun-toting daughter.
(2016, 93 Min)
Special Guests Dir. Shay Kanot & Prod. Ofer Naim
2015 Israeli Academy (Ophir) Awards Winner – Best Film, Best Director,
Best Actress
TV SERIES
SHORT FILMS
Cannes Film Festival – Official Selection, Un Certain Regard , Toronto
Film Festival – Official Selection, 2007 Israeli Academy (Ophir) Awards
Winner – Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress
L.A. Premiere
L.A. Premiere
A.K.A. NADIA
MR. PREDICTABLE
2015 Jerusalem Film Festival – Winner The Israeli Film Critics Forum
Prize, 2015 Israeli Academy (Ophir) Awards Nominee – Best Actress
L.A. Premiere
FOUR BY FOUR
L.A. Premiere
GETT: THE TRIAL OF VIVIANE AMSALEM
U.S. Premiere
‫ביקור התזמורת‬
THE BAND’S VISIT
2016 IFF Career
Achievement Award
Jay Sanderson
2016 IFF Community
Leadership Award
Tickets for the Anniversary Gala Awards Dinner at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel:
$500 per seat and $5,000 per table. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
For reservations call 310.247.1800 or go to www.israelfilmfestival.com
‫הלהקה אחרונה בלבנון‬
Directed by: Ben Bachar & Itzik Kricheli
This upbeat, offbeat comedy follows three reserve soldiers,
members of a military rock band, who wake up one morning to
discover they’ve been left behind after the Israeli withdrawal from
Lebanon. Caught between Hezbollah fighters and disgruntled
Lebanese military, the three must find a way home with music as
their only weapon. (2016, 98 Min)
Special Guests, Dir. & Prod. Itzik Kricheli & Prod.
Elad Gavish
Sharon Stone
Los AngEles Screening Schedule
LAEMMLE AHRYA FINE ARTS | (310) 659-9171
8556 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12
5:00pmAMOR
7:15pm
OUR FATHER
9:45pm
THE LAST BAND IN LEBANON
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16
5:00pm
DOWN THE DEEP, DARK WEB +
THE AMBASSADOR’S WIFE
7:15pm
ONE WEEK AND A DAY
9:30pm
PRESENTING PRINCESS SHAW
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13
12:00pm TWILIGHT OF A LIFE
2:30pmNADIA
5:30pm
SAND STORM +
PANEL WITH ISRAELI
FILMMAKERS
8:30PM FOREVER PURE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17
5:00pm
THE WONDERFUL KINGDOM
OF PAPA ALAEV
7:15pm
Centerpiece: ON THE MAP +
AN AVERAGE STORY
9:45PM SAND STORM
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14
7:15pm
A TALE OF LOVE AND DARKNESS
9:30PM THE BAND’S VISIT
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15
5:30pm
THE MUTE’S HOUSE +
ANNA + AN AVERAGE STORY
7:15pm
MR. PREDICTABLE
9:30pm EVERYTHING IS BROKEN UP
AND DANCES
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19
5:00pm
WHO’S GONNA LOVE ME NOW?
7:15pm
THE LAST BAND IN LEBANON
9:45PM OUR FATHER
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21
7:15pm
WOUNDED LAND
9:30pm
FOUR BY FOUR
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22
5:00pmSHTISEL
7:15pm
THE SETTLERS
9:30PM THE LAST BAND IN LEBANON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23
5:00pm
SHALOM ITALIA +
AN AVERAGE STORY
7:15pm
CLOSING NIGHT FILM:
SAND STORM
9:30PM BEST OF THE FEST
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20
12:00pmABULELE
2:30pm
THE WRITER
5:00pm BEYOND THE MOUNTAINS
AND HILLS
7:15pm
ONE WEEK AND A DAY
9:30pm
MR. PREDICTABLE
LAEMMLE TOWN CENTER 5 | (818) 981-9847
17200 Ventura Blvd, #121 Encino, CA 91316
‫התסריטאי‬
THE WRITER
‫שטיסל‬
SHTISEL
Directed by: Shay Capon
Created by: Sayed Kashua
Following the success of the hit series Arab Labor, Sayed Kashua
returns with another auto-fictional show about an Arab-Israeli
writer who’s just created a hit series named Arab Labor. Able to
shift easily between the two cultures, he nonetheless feels
trapped in the gilded cage of success. (2016, 75 Min)
‫ולתפארת מדינת ישראל‬
AN AVERAGE STORY
Created by: Ori Elon & Yehonatan Indursky
The story of a haredi family in Jerusalem. Shulem Schtisel the
father of a large family is dealing with his younger son who he
wants to see married soon. His daughter, Giti is dealing in secret
with marital problems while his other son Zvi Arie tries to patch
everything up.
Directed by: Yaniv Segalovich
Avi Cohen has just been informed that he’s officially the most
average man in Israel—which ought to be good news, since
it instantly transforms him into a national icon. Unfortunately,
Avi’s plans with his wife to capitalize on their good fortune goes
unpredictably awry. (2015, 18 Min)
2016 Israeli Academy (Ophir) Awards Nominee – Best Short Feature
‫אנה‬
ANNA
‫אשת השגריר‬
THE AMBASSADOR’S WIFE
Directed by: Or Sinai
In the dog days of summer, a woman in her thirties finds herself
unexpectedly alone. She wanders through her small desert
hometown, yearning to feel like a woman again… even in the
arms of a complete stranger. (30 mins., 2014)
2016 Cannes Film Festival, Cinefondation Selection – Winner, First Prize
2016 Israeli Academy (Ophir) Awards Nominee – Best Short Feature
Directed by: Dina Zvi-Riklis
After the murder of her diplomat husband, an Eritrean woman
named Yerusalem is forced to flee Paris only to become an illegal
refugee in a decrepit area of Tel Aviv. The short film is the creation
of award-winning director Dina Zvi-Riklis, whose feature Three
Mothers was nominated for nine Ophir Awards. (2016, 40 Mins)
2016 Israeli Academy (Ophir) Awards Nominee – Best Short Feature
Special Guest Prod. Kobi Azran & Actor Itzik Golan
FEATURE DOCUMENTARIES
Centerpiece Screening
L.A. Premiere
‫עד קצה הזריחה‬
TWILIGHT OF A LIFE
Directed by: Dani Menkin
Victorious yet demoralized after the Yom Kippur war, Israel
in 1973 was hungry for inspiration and healing. On the Map
chronicles the thrilling adventure of a Tel Aviv basketball team
that defied all expectations, captured the imagination of a
nation, and put Israel firmly “on the map” against the defending
European champions. (2015, 78 Min) Q&A with Dir. Dani
Menkin, Executive Prod. Nancy Spielberg & Macabbi Tel
Aviv’s Basketball Legend Tal Brody.
L.A. Premiere
West Coast Premiere
‫על המפה‬
ON THE MAP
SHORT DOCUMENTARIES
‫הממלכה המופלאה של פאפא אלײב‬
THE WONDERFUL KINGDOM OF PAPA ALAEV
Directed by: SYLVAIN BIEGELEISEN
The documentarian’s mother is 94 years old… but in her mind
she’s still twenty. She laughs, sings, and offers kisses while her
son stays at her bedside, sharing moments of clarity, confusion,
and silent communion. The result is a tale of laughter, optimism,
and the joys of life in its last precious hours. (2015, 70 Min)
2016 Israeli Academy (Ophir) Awards Nominee – Best Documentary
Directed by: TAL BARDA & NOAM PINCHAS
Nearly 80, Allo “Papa” Alaev rules his celebrated folk music clan
with an iron tambourine. Since the day he decreed his family
would migrate to Israel, he’s micro-managed every aspect of their
lives, onstage and off. Despite Papa’s advancing age, the show
must go on – but who will keep this extraordinary family band
together? (2016, 74 Min)
2016 HotDocs Official Selection
Special Guest, Dir. Noam Pinchas
‫אל תוך הרשת האפלה‬
DOWN THE DEEP, DARK WEB
Directed by: Tzachi Schiff, Duki Dror
What do you really know about the dark net? This short film
goes beyond rumor and hype to reveal the deepest secrets of
the Internet’s hidden side, exposing how activists from around
the world fight on the frontier of this invisible battleground and
protect the freedom we all hold dear. (2016, 56 Min)
2016 Jerusalem Film Festival Official Selection
2016 Israeli Academy (Ophir) Awards Nominee – Best Short
Documentary
‫בית האילמת‬
PRESENTING PRINCESS SHAW
‫המתנחלים‬
THE SETTLERS
Directed by: Ido Haar
The true story of New Orleans’ Samantha Montgomery who sang
her heart out on YouTube each night as “Princess Shaw,”
reaching only a handful of listeners until Tel Aviv musician Ophir
“Kutiman” Kuitel discovered her, and brought her extraordinary
voice to a whole new audience. (2015, 83 Min)
Directed by: Shimon Dotan
What motivates Jewish settlers to uproot their families to make their
homes in the most contested areas in the world, surrounded by hostile
neighbors? The answers may surprise you. In stark contrast to the image
created by the news, the settlers are a diverse community with deeply
personal reasons for living on the knife’s edge. (2016, 100 Min)
2016 Israeli Academy (Ophir) Awards Winner – Best Documentary
2016 – Sundance Official Selection, Nominee for Documentary Grand Jury
Prize, 2016 New York Film Festival - Official Selection,
2016 Israeli Academy (Ophir) Awards Nominee—Best Documentary
‫מי יאהב אותי עכשיו‬
WHO’S GONNA LOVE ME NOW?
‫טהורה לעד‬
FOREVER PURE
Directed by: Barak Heymann & Tomer Heymann
A 39-year-old former Israeli army paratrooper discovers he is HIVpositive and begins a journey of reconciliation with his deeply religious
family in Israel. This profoundly moving British-Israeli co-production
contrasts the expatriate’s difficulties finding acceptance at home with
the life he’s built in England as a member of the London Gay Male
Chorus. (2016, 85 Min)
Directed by: MAYA ZINSHTEIN
For years, Beitar Jerusalem F.C. was the only Israeli football club
never to sign an Arab player. Then, midway through its 2012-13
season, the popular club’s owner made plans to bring on two
Muslim players from Chechnya. The resulting backlash sent the
club spiraling out of control and exposed a racial divide within
Israeli society. (2016, 85 Min)
2016 Berlin International Film Festival Winner – Best Panorama
Audience Award
2016 Jerusalem Film Festival Official Selection
Special Guest, Dir. Maya Zinshtein
2016 DocAviv – Official Selection, 2016 Israeli Academy (Ophir) Awards
Nominee – Best Short Documentary
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20
12:00pm TWILIGHT OF A LIFE
2:30pm
FOREVER PURE
5:00pm
ON THE MAP
7:15pm
NADIA
9:30pm
EVERYTHING IS BROKEN UP
AND DANCES
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21
5:00pm
SHALOM ITALIA +
AN AVERAGE STORY
7:15pm
THE WONDERFUL KINGDOM
OF PAPA ALAEV
9:30PM GETT: THE TRIAL OF
VIVIANE AMSALEM
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22
5:00pm
FOREVER PURE
7:15pm
WOUNDED LAND
9:30PM AMOR
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23
5:00pm
THE LAST BAND IN LEBANON
7:15pm
OUR FATHER
9:30PM BEST OF FEST
All films are in Hebrew with English subtitles unless otherwise noted.
Films and schedule subject to change without notice. Some films contain
mature subject matter – parental guidance recommended.
Opening Night Screening &
Dessert Reception (Nov. 10th): $45
Festival Gold Package: $180
TICKETS
Directed by: Tamar Tal
One night, three brothers fled their home in Tuscany and hid in
a cave to escape the Nazis. Seventy years later, they return to
a region famous for its zest for life, searching for the cave that
sheltered them, hoping it will reconcile their conflicting memories
of that night. (2016, 70 Min)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19
5:00pm
PRESENTING PRINCESS SHAW
7:15pm
BEYOND THE MOUNTAINS &
THE HILLS
9:30PM THE WOMEN’S BALCONY
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15
5:00pm
TWILIGHT OF A LIFE
7:15pmNADIA
9:45pm
WHO’S GONNA LOVE ME NOW?
2015 IDFA – International Documentary Film Festival, 2016 Israeli
Academy (Ophir) Awards Nominee – Best Short Documentary, 2016 Full
Frame Documentrary – Winner, President’s Award
SHALOM ITALIA
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17
5:00pm
THE SETTLERS
7:15pmSHTISEL
9:30PM FOUR BY FOUR
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14
5:00pm
DOWN THE DEEP DARK WEB +
THE AMBASSADOR’S WIFE
7:15pm
WOUNDED LAND
9:30PM THE LAST BAND IN LEBANON
Directed by: Tamar Kay
Abandoned by its Palestinian owners, the deserted building in
Hebron is known to Israeli soldiers as “The Mute’s House”—its
only occupants are a deaf woman, Sahar, and her eight-year-old
son Yousef. The film is told through Yousef’s eyes as he goes
about his daily routine in the heart of a city torn apart by hatred
and violence. (2015, 31 Min)
‫שלושה אחים ומערה‬
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16
5:00pm
THE MUTE’S HOUSE +
ANNA + AN AVERAGE STORY
7:15pmAMOR
8:30pm
OUR FATHER
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13
12:00pmABULELE
2:30pm
MR. PREDICTABLE
5:00pm
TV SERIES:
THE WRITER
7:15pm
OUR FATHER
9:30PM FOUR BY FOUR
THE MUTE’S HOUSE
L.A. Premiere
‫פרינסס שואו‬
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12
5:00pm
EVERYTHING ISBROKEN UP AND DANCES
7:15pm
BEYOND THE MOUNTAINS
AND HILLS
9:30pm
WOUNDED LAND
Includes 2 tix to Opening Night
Premiere Screening +
8 tix to Regular Screenings.
Must be exchanged for tickets at
theater box office 30 minutes
prior to screening
Festival 6 Pack: $70
Good for 6 Regular Screenings.
Must be exchanged for tickets at theater
box office 30 minutes prior to screening
General Admission: $14
Seniors, Students & Children: $12
Exclusive Screenings + Panels: $25
Matinee Screenings: $10
(before 6pm, Weekdays ONLY)
For tickets, group sales and info
CALL ISRAFEST AT 1-310-247-1800
or visit our website
www.israelfilmfestival.com
TICKETS ALSO AVAILABLE at the BOX OFFICE