The Israeli Film Festival (IFF) made its long-awaited return to Los Angeles after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus, kicking off its 36th edition with a gala at the Saban Theater. The event featured a lively atmosphere, beginning with a buffet-style dinner that set the tone for an evening of celebration. Stand-up comedian Elon Gold, a staple of the festival, hosted the ceremony and delighted the crowd with his spot-on impersonations, including a humorous take on former and future President Donald Trump that drew laughs from both supporters and non-supporters alike.
This year, IFF founder and executive director Meir Fenigstein selected a prominent Israeli figure for the prestigious 2024 Industry Leadership Award. Ynon Kreiz is the chairman and CEO of Mattel and is listed on Time magazine’s list as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Actress Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) took the stage to presented the award to Kreiz.
“I’m so honored to present this award to my dear friend, Ynon,” said Gadot. “When I first met Ynon and his incredible wife Anat, I immediately found that we have much in common. We both have four children, we are proud Israelis and we love storytelling, but most of all, we enjoy spending time together.”
Gadot lightheartedly revealed her nickname for Kreiz, “Mr. Robot,” highlighting his boundless energy and memory. “My husband and I wonder if he has an on and off switch on his back….. He is a machine, but a machine doesn’t have the heart, the passion and the love that Ynon has.”
The “Wonder Woman” actress went on to describe how Kreiz had brought significant financial success to Mattel since becoming its CEO in 2018, revitalizing the company by building a franchise around its most popular product, Barbie. He is credited with bringing the iconic doll to the big screen, resulting in a box office gross of over $1.4 billion.
Kreiz, who took the stage, reflected on his history with the IFF and how it came full circle that night. “In the 90s, as a UCLA student, I volunteered for this very festival, licking envelopes and sending out invitations,” he said with a smile. “I was new here to LA and I craved connection to my home country. This was also a great way to get into the festival for free. More than three decades later, receiving this award feels like a full-circle moment, with one key difference — no envelope licking this time.”
Kreiz praised the festival’s mission: “This is more than just Israeli filmmaking; it’s an opportunity to showcase a small piece of Israeli culture to the world. Israel is the most multifaceted place on earth, where secular and religious, liberal and orthodox, Ashkenazi and Sephardi, Jews and Muslims coexist. Show me one person who’s visited Israel for the first time and didn’t say it’s the most amazing place they’ve ever been to.”
“This is more than just Israeli filmmaking; it’s an opportunity to showcase a small piece of Israeli culture to the world.” – Ynon Kreiz
The evening also saw a special highlight with the screening of Tom Nesher’s film, “‘Come Closer,” which premiered in front of members of the American Film Academy. This marked the beginning of the film’s journey to the Oscars, adding a note of excitement to the festival, as Israel’s official entry for the Oscar for Best International Film. The screening attracted an impressive array of stars, filmmakers and members of the local film community, all eager to experience Nesher’s acclaimed work.
Nesher’s debut film is a haunting exploration of love, loss and obsession, set against a backdrop of stunning visuals. The story follows Eden, whose life begins to unravel after the tragic death of her brother. When she discovers that he had a secret girlfriend, her grief takes a dark and obsessive turn, propelling her into an unsettling spiral of fixation. The 27-year-old director dedicated the film to her brother, Ari, who, like Eden’s brother in the movie, was killed in a car accident at age 17, in 2018.
Fenigstein, who has a longstanding history of showcasing the works of Tom’s father, renowned filmmaker Avi Nesher, introduced the film. Before launching the IFF in New York in 1982, which later expanded to Los Angeles, Fenigstein was the drummer of the highly successful Israeli band Kaveret and even appeared in a few films, including Nesher’s 1978 classic hit, “The Band” (1978).”
Addressing the audience from the stage, Fenigstein said, “We are proud to present during this year’s festival more than 40 new feature films, thought-provoking documentaries, and our new initiative of a student short film competition. We remain dedicated to fulfilling our promise to our generous sponsors, our community partners, the beloved filmmakers and their great films.”
Twelve filmmakers and actors took the stage, representing the vibrant lineup of talent who will participate in Q&A sessions following the screenings of their films. The festival will run until November Nov. 26 at Laemmle Town Center 5 in Encino and Laemmle Royal Theatre in West L.A.
To purchase tickets visit: www.israelfilmfestival.com
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