The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/film-festival/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Sat, 26 Sep 2026 10:33:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png film festival | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/film-festival/ 32 32 Documentary film fest to open at National Library for 11th year https://www.timesofisrael.com/documentary-film-fest-to-open-at-national-library-for-11th-year/ Fri, 14 Aug 2026 10:26:41 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3878564 Docu.Text, running August 16-20, will feature 25 films, with premieres, filmmaker talks and live performances by Aviv Geffen and other Israeli artists

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]]> Filmmaker Nadav Lapid receives industry support after boycott at film festival https://www.timesofisrael.com/filmmaker-nadav-lapid-receives-industry-support-after-boycott-at-film-festival/ Wed, 10 Jun 2026 19:57:06 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3840214 Hundreds of artists defend director, who they call 'Israel’s greatest dissident artist'; Lapid, a vociferous critic of Israel, warns of the dangers of silencing debate

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]]> Frankfurt cinema declines to participate in Jewish film festival, drawing backlash https://www.timesofisrael.com/frankfurt-cinema-declines-to-participate-in-jewish-film-festival-drawing-backlash/ Tue, 07 Apr 2026 03:28:36 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3796687 Jewish community in German city calls the decision a 'devastating societal signal'; Astor Film Lounge claims move was financial, but Jewish NGO calls this a 'mere pretext'

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]]> Filmmakers back Berlin festival chief after director’s Gaza ‘genocide’ speech sparks row https://www.timesofisrael.com/filmmakers-back-berlin-festival-chief-after-directors-gaza-genocide-speech-sparks-row/ Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:10:02 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3762903 Writers group says possible firing of Berlinale director Tricia Tuttle over Abdallah Al-Khatib's anti-Israel comments would mean 'wanton destruction of German cultural scene'

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]]> Palestinian Berlinale awardee to German government: ‘You are partners in the genocide’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/berlin-film-festival-closes-after-being-beset-by-stormy-seas-of-gaza-war/ Sat, 21 Feb 2026 18:18:36 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3759140 Film festival's closing ceremony continues to be marred by protests over jury president's refusal to condemn Israel, after weeklong event was beset by 'stormy seas' of Gaza war

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]]> Berlinale chief urges ‘cool heads’ amid backlash over Wim Wenders’ no-politics comment https://www.timesofisrael.com/berlinale-head-urges-cool-heads-amid-backlash-over-wim-wenders-no-politics-comment/ Sun, 15 Feb 2026 14:24:52 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3754879 Some guests pull out of event after famed German filmmaker said Berlin Film Festival has 'to stay out of politics'; festival director says artists are free to express opinions

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]]> Iranian film fest hosted in Sderot celebrates all things Persian https://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-film-fest-hosted-in-sderot-celebrates-all-things-persian/ Fri, 14 Nov 2025 14:57:34 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3679784 Nowruz festival brings award-winning films and musicians for two-day event, November 24-25

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]]> Controversial Israeli film ‘The Sea’ makes its North American premiere in NYC https://www.timesofisrael.com/controversial-israeli-film-the-sea-makes-its-north-american-premiere-in-nyc/ Thu, 06 Nov 2025 15:34:33 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3682018 The Arabic-language film, Israel’s Academy Award submission this year, has ignited criticism on the left and the right. On Thursday, it opens the Other Israel Film Festival in Manhattan

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]]> Jennifer Lawrence condemns Gaza ‘genocide’ at Spain’s San Sebastian film festival https://www.timesofisrael.com/jennifer-lawrence-condemns-gaza-genocide-at-spains-san-sebastian-film-festival/ Sat, 27 Sep 2025 07:38:52 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3651080 US actress says she's 'terrified' for her children amid attacks on freedom of speech, 'discourse in American politics right now'

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]]> Oscar-winning French director pulls film from Cinema South Festival as Israel boycotts mount https://www.timesofisrael.com/oscar-winning-french-director-pulls-film-from-cinema-south-festival-as-israel-boycotts-mount/ Mon, 22 Sep 2025 14:01:59 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3647889 Michel Gondry among several international film makers to withdraw from November event, cancelling the screening of his animated film, 'Maya, Give Me a Title'

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]]> Amid Gaza war, Israeli filmmakers battle international condemnation and isolation https://www.timesofisrael.com/amid-gaza-war-israeli-filmmakers-battle-international-condemnation-and-isolation/ Wed, 10 Sep 2025 14:38:09 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3634033 In festivals from Venice to Toronto, Israeli creators face protests and boycotts, forcing them to choose: blue-and-white filmmaking -- or having their work seen under another flag

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]]> Toronto film fest to screen Oct. 7 doc initially nixed over ‘copyright concerns’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/toronto-film-fest-to-screen-oct-7-doc-initially-nixed-over-copyright-concerns/ Fri, 15 Aug 2025 03:58:08 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3620688&preview=true&preview_id=3620688 Reversing course following uproar, event organizer apologizes for poor communication, says movie on father's rescue of his son during Hamas onslaught will premiere next week

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]]> Toronto film fest CEO denies Oct. 7 doc censored, says he still wants it shown https://www.timesofisrael.com/toronto-film-fest-ceo-denies-oct-7-doc-censored-says-he-still-wants-it-shown/ Thu, 14 Aug 2025 12:43:09 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3620123 Cameron Bailey says lawyers working with filmmakers to ensure film meets standards, after organizers said use of Hamas massacre footage was unauthorized, cited fear of 'disruption'

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]]> Love, loss and dancing: National Library hosts documentary fest https://www.timesofisrael.com/love-loss-and-dancing-national-library-hosts-annual-documentary-fest/ Mon, 04 Aug 2025 06:35:43 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3612743 Docu.Text event brings Jerusalem five days of film screenings that illuminate Israel and Jewish culture

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]]> Award-winning docs and dramas dot Jerusalem Film Festival https://www.timesofisrael.com/award-winning-docs-and-dramas-dot-jerusalem-film-festival/ Wed, 09 Jul 2025 12:55:34 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3593902 Tickets now on sale, with dozens of screenings at Jerusalem Cinematheque and Lev Smadar

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