Israel Film Festival celebrates its 30th

Several Israeli film industry players honored,

By RUTH JUDAH
Updated: APRIL 16, 2016 01:02
Israel Film Festival celebrates its 30th (photo credit: RUTH JUDAH)
Israel Film Festival celebrates its 30th
(photo credit: RUTH JUDAH)
"The actor is the closest thing to a human being,” said film distributor/producer Ehud Bleiberg, as he watched his colleagues Avi Lerner and Boaz Davidson walk the red carpet at the Israel Film Festival luncheon held on March 31 at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons Hotel.
Festival director Meir Fenigstein shared his delight that the 30th anniversary milestone has been reached. The festival screens Israeli movies covering a spectrum of subjects, at events held in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Miami.
Fenigstein acknowledged the festival’s humble beginnings during his college days. “Then, I could not have imagined how this event could come to be so successful. My crazy idea has fostered the growth and uncovered the real face of Israel to the American public.... Thank you for letting me share my love of Israel.”
Several Israeli film industry players were honored, including distributor Danny Dimbort, who won the 2016 Israel Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award, and Daphna E. Ziman, who was given the 2016 IFF Humanitarian Award.
Israeli Consul-General David Siegel and Jay Sanderson, president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, were also in attendance. Siegel spoke to the crowd, noting that “the greatest thing that Israel has is Israelis. There are many pillars to the American-Israel relationship. There is clean tech and hi-tech, and entertainment has also become a pillar. Movies elevate the world today.”