BEVERLY HILLS, California (Press Release) — A packed crowd of Hollywood luminaries joined in saluting Israel and Israel Film Festival’s 25th Anniversary Gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel for the launch of this year’s festival which runs now through November 4th in Los Angeles with a special Closing Night presentation of two films on November 7.
This year the festival honored Richard Dreyfuss (actor and founder of the Dreyfuss Initiative), Ryan Kavanaugh (CEO of Relativity Media), Jon Landau (COO of Lightstorm Entertainment, producer of Avatar, The Titanic), and Avi Lerner (Co-Chairman & CEO of Nu Image/Millennium Films, The Expendables).
In a dramatic break from tradition, the Festival is having two Closing Night Films, which are arguably two of the highest-profile Israeli films of the year: the recently announced Israeli Oscar entry The Human Resources Manager, which just won five Israeli Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director, and Precious Life, winner of the Israeli Academy Award for Best Documentary.
Dreyfuss was presented with the Career Achievement Award by his good friend Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller. Kavanaugh received the Outstanding Achievement in Film Award, which was presented by actor Topher Grace. Landau was honored with the Visionary Award, for which James N. Gianopulos, Co-Chairman & CEO of Fox Filmed Entertainment presented the award. To close the evening, Lerner, who recently produced the blockbuster hit The Expendables received the Lifetime Achievement Award as presented by the film’s director, writer and star Sylvester Stallone.
“It was an incredible evening with each of the honorees speaking so passionately about Israel and praising the success of the Israeli film industry around the world,” said Founder and Executive Director of the Festival Meir Fenigstein.
The Master of Ceremonies for the gala was actor and comedian Elon Gold. The show was produced and directed by Amy Shomer. The evening began with a rousing performance of the National Anthem and the Israel National Anthem by singer Liyah Lapidote. Dozens of Israeli filmmakers were introduced on stage by Fenigstein including Avi Nesher, director of the festival’s opening night film The Matchmaker and the film’s producer David Silber.
They also received a special award for their success in Israeli filmmaking. Fenigstein was also recognized for his commitment to the festival in a surprise tribute by Nesher. Other notable attendees for this year’s gala included actor Dolph Lundgren (The Expendables), Arnon Milchan (Owner/Founder, Regency Enterprises) and Jacob Dayan (Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles), among many others.
The Israel Film Festival is produced by IsraFest Foundation, Inc. a non-profit organization created in 1982. The 25th anniversary festival is presented in association with the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles and sponsored in part by the Israel Film Fund, LeRoy & Shoshana Schecter Foundation, Nu Image/Millennium Films, Rabinovich Foundation-Cinema Project and Bank Leumi USA. The festival’s mission is to showcase the finest new Israeli films. The film festival encompasses over 30 titles and runs through November 4 in Los Angeles.
The Festival’s mission is to showcase the finest new Israeli films in order to share with American audiences the country’s rich culture, diverse stories and modern Israeli life. The 25th Festival Chairman is Arnon Milchan; the Dinner Co-Chairs are Danny Dimbort and Cheryl and Haim Saban. The Honorary Committee includes Avi Arad, Mark Canton, Gil Cates, Michael Douglas, Meyer Gottlieb, Penny Marshall, David Matalon, Mike Medavoy, Bette Midler, Rob Reiner, Terry Semel, Nina Tassler, and many others. Proceeds from the Gala Awards Dinner will provide funds to support the IsraFest Foundation and scholarship funds at the top six film schools in Israel.
All Israel Film Festival films will screen at the Laemmle Sunset 5 in West Hollywood, the Royal in West Los Angeles and the Laemmle Fallbrook 7 in West Hills.
For additional information and tickets, visit www.IsraelFilmFestival.com or call IsraFest toll-free at 1-877-966-5566.
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Preceding provided by the Israel Film Festival