The 41st edition of the Jerusalem Film Festival will take place from July 18 – 27, 2024. The traditional opening ceremonies will be held on July 18th under the stars at the Sultan’s Pool, before an audience of 6,000.
The festival’s rich artistic program will feature international premieres, award-winning films from Berlin, Cannes, Venice, Sundance, and other international festivals, as well as a first look at new Israeli films. Film competitions at the festival include the Haggiag Award for Best Israeli Feature, the Diamond Competition for Israeli documentary film, as well as awards for the Best International Film and the First Feature Competition. The festival is headed by the Jerusalem Cinematheque CEO and Jerusalem Film Festival Executive Director Roni Mahadav-Levin, Outgoing Artistic Director Elad Samorzik, and Incoming Artistic Director Or Sigoli, and is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Van Leer Foundation, and the Jerusalem Foundation.
Executive Director Roni Mahadav-Levin released a statement: “Sadly, this is not the first time that the festival will take place under the shadow of war. In good times and hard times, we believe that cinema must be created and viewed, for art and cinema have the power to strengthen, heal, and offer the hope of a different reality through the hundreds of different stories that will be presented onscreen. The Jerusalem Film Festival recognizes the role of the Jerusalem Cinematheque to offer consolation, inspiration, and connection to the local and international community, even in the midst of an ongoing conflict. We hope for the release of all the hostages, and an end to the war and the violence in our region.”
The full program and additional information about the festival will be forthcoming on Midnight East, and on the Jerusalem Film Festival website.
Israeli films at the Jerusalem Film Festival – full lineup.
*The above information is based on a press release in Hebrew, the translation of Mahadav-Levin’s statement is mine.
