Daniel Mimran

Dear Guests, Participants, and Viewers,

The Jerusalem Cinematheque is an integral part of Jerusalem’s cultural landscape and the Israeli film industry. The Cinematheque serves as a home to film lovers from Israel and abroad, and a meeting place for filmmakers and their audiences. Throughout the year, the Cinematheque holds a wide range of cultural and educational activities that appeal to a variety of different groups and viewers. One of the main pillars of the Cinematheque is the Israel Film Archive, an exceptional cultural asset of great value and importance. This past year, the Archive was renovated as part of a comprehensive digital preservation project that made its hidden treasures accessible to the public.

During this special year, we have witnessed the special efforts made to maintain the Cinematheque’s activities despite the ongoing restrictions. The Jerusalem Film Festival is the pinnacle of our yearlong programming, and even under these challenging conditions, we hope that you, together with tens of thousands of film lovers and filmmakers, will take advantage of this opportunity to celebrate the Cinematheque’s ongoing efforts to promote the art of cinema. The Festival’s success proves that the culture of watching films in movie theaters is still relevant in the digital age. While there is no substitute for the communal cinematic experience of watching films in the theatres, even so – in light of the situation- we find solace in our screens at home. 

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank the dedicated staff of the Jerusalem Cinematheque and wish all the viewers great enjoyment from the artistic program. Thank you, too, to all the partners and supporters who made it possible for the Festival to take place, grow, and succeed. I congratulate the Cinematheque, which is celebrating the 37th year of the Jerusalem Film Festival. Let us all sit back and enjoy the experience!

Daniel Mimran