Jerusalem Film Festival
The Jerusalem Film Festival is an international film festival that takes place annually in July in Jerusalem. It is dedicated primarily to the Israeli- Jewish film events.
History
After the head of the Jerusalem Cinematheque Lia van Leer in 1983 was a juror at the film festival in Cannes, she decided to organize a festival in Israel. On 17 May 1984 the opening of the new festival was held in the presence of international stars such as Jeanne Moreau, Warren Beatty, John Schlesinger and Andre Delvaux. In three weeks, approximately 100 Israeli and international films were shown.
During the 1980s the festival then received its present shape: The festival lasts for 10 days and there are between 150 and 200 films shown in different rows. In the series " Panorama" the JFF presents international films in the " Israeli films " are shown Israeli Competition Entries. There are also film series of documentaries, the series " Jewish Experience ", which deals with films on Jewish identity and history, the series " Spirit of Freedom ", which is dedicated to issues of civil and human rights, a television program devoted and one for newcomers. The festival will be accompanied by a program of concerts, lectures, exhibitions, workshops and symposia. Central venue, the Jerusalem Cinematheque, the cinema Lev Smadar, the cultural center " Alter Bahnhof Jerusalem " and an open- air cinema at an archaeological site. In 1989, a now significant price for the Israeli film was created with the " Volgin Prize". 2010, the award was renamed " Haggiag Family Award ".
2008 van Leer resigned at the age of 84 years and Ilan de Vries became the new director of the festival.
Prizes and awards
Is Awarded the " Haggiag Family Award for Israeli Cinema " for Best Feature Film, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Editing and Best Original Score. In addition, the " Van Leer Group Foundation Awards" ( best documentary, best documentary director, best young short film ), the " Pirchi Family Award " (Best Israeli Feature Film, Best Screenplay ), the " Adelie Hoffenberg Award" (best Israeli Independantfilm ), the " Jewish Experience Awards Courtesy of Michaela and Leon Constantiner ", the " Lia Award" for the best film on the "Jewish heritage " and the " Avner Shalev- Yad Vashem Chairman's Award " for artistic excellence in the field of movies about the Holocaust. Other awards are:
- " In the Spirit of Freedom Award" in memory of Wim van Leer
- " Cummings Award" for Best Feature Film
- " Ostrovsky Award" for Best Documentary
- " Israel Prize for video art and experimental film"
- " First Prize in Memory of Murray L. Galinson "
- " Jerusalem Pitch Point Award"
- "CNC Award for the most promising film project"
- " Van Leer Awards"
- " International Relations ARTE Prize"
- " Wim van Leer Award" for high school students
- " Courtesy of the Third Ear "
- " Alex Bernstein Production Award for Outstanding Students film "
In addition, the festival will award a " price for the life's work " and " honorable mentions ."