A Note from the Jerusalem Film Festival

Following Israel’s Ministry of Health recent guidelines, prohibiting cultural events and presumed to continue for a prolonged period of time, the Jerusalem Film Festival is ceasing operations on its upcoming edition, set to take place from August 20-30, 2020. These new restrictions were enforced last week due to a radical surge in COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks.

Nonetheless, the Jerusalem Film Festival management intends to hold a winter edition of the Festival, conditions permitting, between December 10-20, 2020. The event will take place during the Hanukkah holiday and will include some of the films meant to be included in the summer edition as well as new titles.

Additionally, the Jerusalem Film Festival will be holding online programs in the near future, showcasing JFF selected titles on the new streaming platform launched by the Jerusalem Cinematheque-Israel Film Archive.

Dr. Noa Regev, Director of the Jerusalem Cinematheque and Jerusalem Film Festival, and Elad Samorzik, Artistic Director of the Jerusalem Film Festival said:

“This is a difficult and painful decision as we have been working on the 37th edition of the Jerusalem Film Festival over the course of the past year. The Festival program has already been finalized with over 150 films from 60 different countries, ten competitive categories awarding prizes in the amount of 1 million NIS, screenings throughout the city’s neighborhoods, special programs, and a selection of new film ventures.”

“The August Festival would have provided an important opportunity to spotlight the art of film, nowadays experiencing a major shakeup, as well as the Israeli film industry. We were hoping to offer a note of encouragement to the filmmakers, to the film enthusiasts throughout the country, and to Jerusalem – becoming a major tourist attraction every year during Festival time.”

“We will continue to invest our efforts to promote the art of film in Israel. We believe there is no replacement for the physical encounter created by a film festival and its audience, filmmakers, and film on the big screen, and therefore, we will do everything in our power to hold the winter Jerusalem Film Festival edition during the month of December.”