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Monthly Screenings
Greetings from the Jerusalem Film Festival

Dear Guests,

We are proud to present the 41st Jerusalem Film Festival, an event held annually in Jerusalem since 1984. Unfortunately, this is not the first time the festival takes place in the shadow of war, yet the decision to hold this year’s edition was more difficult than ever. We recognize the festival’s immense importance and the value it brings to culture and film enthusiasts in Israel. The festival does not constitute a return to normalcy, nor do we intend to provide an escape from reality. The role of art, especially in times like these, is to offer comfort and perpetuate hope. You will see a variety of stories, both fictional and documentary, yet in all of them, the human spirit prevails and is ultimately triumphant.

This year's artistic program includes the past year’s best international and Israeli cinema, along with screenings of classic films, meetings with filmmakers, and professional conferences. While Israeli cinema has been navigating through the eye of the storm, we are proud to showcase the broadest scope of its artistic accomplishments ever and provide platforms and monetary awards in various competitions. Israeli cinema, with its diverse filmmakers and genres, continues to produce top quality films, many of which you will see for the first time at the festival. These films examine our reality from new perspectives and challenge viewers to open their minds. We also recognize the importance of dozens of guests from the international film community who have chosen to join us this year and contribute their time and energy to promote film culture and encourage the production of local films.

The festival’s production has never been an easy task and this year has been more challenging than ever. We would like to thank the Cinematheque and festival staff who worked with dedication and genuine passion to create this year’s edition. We also extend our special appreciation to the donors, foundations, organizations, and cultural institutions that partnered with us and recognize the value of quality filmmaking. Special thanks to the Jerusalem Foundation, whose support through the "Double Impact" program allows us to host evacuees and other special groups at the Opening Night of the festival.

For the past 10 years, the Jerusalem Film Festival has been led by outgoing Artistic Director Elad Samorzik. Elad will be presenting his final festival this year together with incoming Artistic Director, Orr Sigoli. Over the years, Elad and his partners have enriched the Jerusalem Film Festival, making it a prominent name on the international map and a leading festival worldwide, attracting tens of thousands of film enthusiasts annually. We thank Elad for the long journey he chose to take with the Jerusalem Film Festival and wish great success to Orr, who collaborated with Elad on this year’s program. 

Since the establishment of the Jerusalem Cinematheque, and in the spirit of its founders, the Jerusalem Film Festival has promoted humanistic values of pluralism, democracy, and human rights. We have strived to operate in this spirit throughout the years and especially in this period, screening films that fundamentally represent the pursuit of human freedom, justice, and equality.

 

We continue to hope and call for the release of the hostages and an end to the war and violence in our region.

 

Daniel Mimran

Chairperson of the Board

Jerusalem Cinematheque – Israel Film Archive

 

Roni Mahadav-Levin

CEO of Jerusalem Cinematheque – Israel Film Archive

Festival Director