1997 Festival

July 10th-19th, 1997
Opening Film: The Fifth Element by Luc Besson
Guests: Alan Rudolph, Bob Hoskins, Christopher Hampton, Francesco Rosi, Clyde Jeavons, Herbert Beigel, Alan Berliner, Michael Verhoeven, Ulrike Ottinger, Becki Probst, Alexander Shpilyuk

Awards for Israeli and International Cinema: 

Wolgin Award - Best Israeli Feature:

Afula Express by July Shles 

Wolgin Award - Best Israeli Documentary:

Out for Love… Be Back Shortly by Dan Katzir 

Honorable Mention:

M.G Rehearsals for Departure by Ziva Postec
The Last Transfer by Ilana Tsur 

Wolgin Award - Best Short Film:

Chester, Jones & I by Aviv Ma’aravi

Honorable Mention:

Bedouin Sand by Omri Levi
Nachman Leiminer – Express Mail by Guy Liberman &Yoel Frohlich

The New Foundation for Cinema and Television Award:

Emile Habibi – I Stayed in Haifa by Dalia Karpel 

Lipper Award for Best Israeli Screenplay:

The Milky Way by Ali Nassar 

Anat Pirchi TV Drama Award:

Florentene ’95 by Eytan Fox
The Shower by Jorge Gurvich 

In The Spirit of Freedom Award:

Perfect Circle by Ademir Kenovic 

Honorable Mention:

Mandela by Jo Menell & Angus Gibson
Buddha Bless America by Wu Nien-jen
Chronicle of a Disappearance by Elia Suleiman 

The Jewish Experience - Best Feature:

My Mother’s Courage by Michael Verhoeven 

The Jewish Experience - Best Documentary:

Nobody’s Business by Alan Berliner 

Life Achievement Award:

Woody Allen
David Perlov

Festival Fellowship:

Christopher Hampton
Francesco Rosi
Alan Rudolph

Important Titles:
Afterglow by Alan Rudolph
American Buffalo by Michael Corrente
Get on the Bus by Spike Lee
Night Falls on Manhattan by Sidney Lumet
Trees Lounge by Steve Buscemi
Kids Return by Takeshi Kitano
The Truce by Francesco Rosi
For Ever Mozart by Jean-Luc Godard
Level 5 by Chris Marker
Gabbeh by Mohsen Makhmalbaf