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Gal Gadot to be special guest at this year’s Jerusalem Film Festival

The 42nd film festival event hosted by the Jerusalem Cinematheque will take place as scheduled next month despite chaos of Iran war

Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center

During the opening night of the 41st Jerusalem International Festival, held in July 2024 (Sivan Farag)
During the opening night of the 41st Jerusalem International Festival, held in July 2024 (Sivan Farag)

Actress Gal Gadot and producer Lawrence Bender will be the special guests at this year’s Jerusalem Film Festival, which will open on schedule, from July 17 through July 26.

The July dates are the original schedule for the 42nd edition of the film festival, which will hold its opening night as usual at Jerusalem’s Sultan’s Pool arena with an audience of 6,000 viewers and guests.

Full details for the opening event, the screening times and ticket bookings are not yet available on the festival website.

“Despite the war that is still ongoing, the festival chooses to be a cultural beacon, reminding us of the power of art to heal and inspire hope,” stated the festival organizers in a press release. “We are currently working at full power and are excited to hold the festival on time and present the finest in Israeli and global cinema.”

Gal Gadot attends the 11th Breakthrough Prize ceremony at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, on April 5, 2025. (Michael Tran/AFP)

The festival will feature dozens of film premieres from around the world, showcasing the best films in Israeli cinema, as well as award-winning films that premiered at international festivals, including Berlin, Cannes, Venice, Sundance, Tribeca and others.

The festival will host international film industry guests alongside prominent Israeli filmmakers, actors, directors, producers, festival directors and film fund executives.

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