The 28th Jerusalem Jewish Film Festival, taking place December 5-10 at the Jerusalem Cinematheque, will welcome two important guests: actor and comedian Michael Rapaport and Oscar-winning German director Volker Schlondorff.
Rapaport, who has become one of the most outspoken supporters of Israel in Hollywood since October 7, will present Am I Cancelled Yet?, a documentary about his renewed connection to his Jewish identity and the personal and professional consequences of his advocacy for Israel.
Rapaport is currently in a major role in the popular Israeli film Matchmaking 3, by Erez Tadmor. He is also known for his roles in True Romance, Beautiful Girls, "Prison Break," and Only Murders in the Building.
The film, which he also produced, follows him as he visits the sites of the October 7 massacre and meets survivors and hostage families. Moving between his comedy and encounters with people whose lives were shattered by the attacks, the documentary examines how speaking out has changed his life.
It also looks at the backlash he has faced and the challenges of reconciling his public persona with grief and a deepening sense of Jewish belonging. It received a special screening with the support of the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival. Am I Canceled Yet? will close the festival, and Rapaport and director Ruth Berdah-Canet will join the audience for a discussion after the screening.
Schlondorff to receive award, present latest film
Schlondorff will receive an achievement award and present his latest film, Visitation, at the opening ceremony. Visitation examines German history through the owners and residents of a lakeside villa, through the advent of the Nazi era, World War II, the Soviet occupation, and German reunification, and follows the fates of both Jews and non-Jewish Germans.
Its stars include Martina Gedeck and Lars Eidinger. The director is best known for his adaptation of the novel The Tin Drum, which won both the Palme d’Or at Cannes and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and he has also directed such acclaimed films as The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum, Calm at Sea, and a version of Death of a Salesman starring Dustin Hoffman.
There will be an additional screening of the film Visitation on December 6, followed by a conversation with the director, moderated by Yediot Aharonot and Ynet film critic Benjamin Tovias.
Festival to feature over 40 films from 15 countries
The festival, held during Hanukkah, will feature more than 40 films from 15 countries, exploring Jewish identity, culture, history, faith, and contemporary life in Israel and the Diaspora. Screenings will be accompanied by discussions, lectures, workshops, and meetings with filmmakers.
Jerusalem Cinematheque CEO Roni Mahadav-Levin and festival artistic director Daniella Tourgeman-Glass said in a statement: “We are honored and delighted to open the 28th Jerusalem Jewish Film Festival with two exceptional international guests, each representing different and fascinating voices in the world of cinema.
“Volker Schlondorff, one of the leading figures in European cinema, will join us with his latest film and receive an award in recognition of his longstanding contribution to the art of filmmaking. We will close the festival with Michael Rapaport, an actor and comedian who has become one of the most prominent voices in support of Israel, and a documentary that reveals his personal story.
The full program will include documentaries, features, shorts, restored classics, and archival films, with subjects ranging from music and literature to the Holocaust, antisemitism, and relations between Judaism and other faiths. Tickets for the opening event go on sale November 8.
For more information, go to https://jer-cin.org.il/en