‘Incitement’ and ‘Forgiveness’ Win at Israel Film Fest

The top honor at the 33rd Israel Film Festival’s resulted in a tie this year: “Incitement” and “Forgiveness” share Audience Choice Award for best feature film. “Picture of His Life” was chosen as favorite documentary.

“Incitement,” directed by Yaron Zilberman, won the top prize at Israel’s Ophir Awards and is the Israeli entry for best international feature at the Academy Awards this year. It’s about the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, told from the assassin’s point of view. “Forgiveness,” from Guy Amir and Hanan Savyon, deals with life after prison for an ex-con and his family.

“Picture of His Life,” Yonatan Nir and Dani Menkin’s film about nature photographer Amos Nachoum and his underwater adventure with a polar bear.

The honors came with prizes of post-production services worth $92,500 for the feature filmmakers and $5000 for the documentarians. IFF founder and executive director Meir Fenigstein thanked the festival’s many sponsors for their funding support that will enable filmmakers “to continue to bring their visions to the screen. [These] supporters are the reason that the Israel Film Festival in Los Angeles continues to exist and flourish and allows Israel to showcase its gifted filmmakers to American audiences,” he said. “This year’s record-breaking attendance at the Festival is a testament to the creative force and exceptional work produced by Israeli filmmakers and talent.  This symbolizes how Los Angeles audiences are eager to embrace the very best of Israeli filmmakers.”