Ophir Awards

Renowned Israeli filmmaker Avi Nesher's new film to open Haifa International Film Festival

The movie explores the lives of seven characters whose personal crises are overshadowed by October 7, forcing them into a desperate fight for survival and to confront buried truths.

|ByHANNAH BROWN
SHALOM MICHAELSHWILLI in ‘Our Loves.'
‘JURASSIC PARK’

What to watch this week: 'Operation Thunderbolt,' 'Jurassic Park,' and Israeli classics

TV TIME: This summer’s watchlist includes "Operation Thunderbolt," "Turn Left at the End of the World," dinosaur blockbusters, a grittier "Little House" reboot, and classic musicals.

|ByHANNAH BROWN
Tom Nesher wins the Ophir Award for Best Director for ‘Come Closer’ in 2024.

How Israeli women dominate the film industry in ways Hollywood still can't

While Israeli filmmakers face pressure abroad, women have emerged at the center of the industry, bringing new voices and perspectives into focus

|ByHANNAH BROWN
IDO TAKO (left) and Ehab Salami star in Assaf Machnes' movie, Where To?, which will be shown at the Berlinale.

Israeli film 'Where to?' to compete in Berlin International Film Festival

The Berlinale is one of the largest and most prestigious festivals in the world and will take place from February 12-22 this year.

|ByHANNAH BROWN

Image of Victory, Let There Be Morning lead Ophir Awards nominations

Avi Nesher’s Image of Victory and Eran Kolirin’s Let There Be Morning each took 15 nominations at Israel's Ophir Awards, the prizes of the Israeli Academy of Film and Television.

AUGUST 17, 2021ByHANNAH BROWN
Yadin Gellman and Joy Rieger in Image of Victory

Ophir Awards to be given out on Friday

This is an unusual year for the Israeli film industry, to put it mildly, because the coronavirus has forced theaters to stay shut since March.

NOVEMBER 12, 2020ByHANNAH BROWN
'Africa'

Ophir Awards to be given out Friday

This is an unusual year for the Israeli film industry, to put it mildly, because the coronavirus has forced theaters to stay shut since March.

NOVEMBER 11, 2020ByHANNAH BROWN
STILLS FROM the films ‘Here We Are’ (left) and ‘Asia.’ The winner of the Best Picture award will go on to become Israel’s official selection for consideration for a Best International Feature Oscar nomination.

'Tel Aviv on Fire' representing Luxembourg, not Israel, at the Oscars

Tel Aviv on Fire director Sameh Zoabi on the absurdity of his film representing Luxembourg at the Oscar

SEPTEMBER 27, 2019ByHANNAH BROWN
Kais Nashif (left) and Yaniv Biton

2019 Ophir Award nominations for Israeli film prizes announced

The nominees for Best Picture are Working Woman, The Unorthodox, Incitement, Love Trilogy: Chained, Tel Aviv on Fire

JULY 22, 2019ByHANNAH BROWN
Tel Aviv on Fire

Al Pacino reportedly dating Israeli actress

Meital Dohan is best known for her guest starring spot on Weeds.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2018ByAMY SPIRO
American Film Institute Life Achievement Award – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., 08/06/2017 - Actor Al Pacino speaks on stage.

The Cakemaker’s sweet Ophir win

The first two presenters, ultra-Orthodox director Rama Burshtein and Arab director Maysaloun Hamoud, embodied the diversity of the Israeli film industry.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2018ByHANNAH BROWN
A scene from 'The Cakemaker'

Gay-themed films battle for the Ophir Prize

The Ophir voters can be unpredictable, but you can expect that Regev will find something to meet with her displeasure before they are done handing out the statuettes.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2018ByHANNAH BROWN
"The Cakemaker" by Ofir Raul Graizer is a leading contender for the Ophir Prize

‘Flawless’ leads Ophir Award nominations

Transgender model Stav Strashko makes history with best actress nod

JUNE 22, 2018ByAMY SPIRO
Scene from the film Flawless

The dangerous dance of 'Foxtrot' critics

“Any up-and-coming director knows that if they make films that defame Israel there will be those in the world who will warmly accept them," says Israel's culture minister.

OCTOBER 30, 2017ByHANNAH BROWN
A SCENE from Samuel Maoz’s critically acclaimed ‘Foxtrot.’