Los Angeles Hosts Sold-Out 36th Israel Film Festival, Drawing Over 7,000 Attendees

The 36th Israel Film Festival in Los Angeles wrapped up a historic run on November 26, with more than 7,000 attendees and the highest number of sponsors in its nearly four-decade history. Following a two-year hiatus, the festival returned with sold-out screenings and showcased over 40 feature films, documentaries, and student short films across six theaters in Beverly Hills, West Los Angeles, and Encino.

“Los Angeles audiences thoroughly embraced the return of the Israel Film Festival, which had been postponed due to the war in the Middle East,” said Meir Fenigstein, the festival’s founder and executive director. “As our hearts ache for those affected by the war, the sense of community here was profound, with residents gathering to celebrate Israeli culture, storytelling, and filmmaking.”

The Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film went to Come Closer, Tom Nesher’s directorial debut and Israel’s submission for the Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. The poignant drama follows the journey of a young woman grieving her brother’s death, exploring themes of love, loss, and healing.

The Child Within Me, a documentary about Israeli musician Yehuda Poliker directed by Yaniv Amoday and Eti Aneta, received the Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary. For Best Student Film, Girl NO. 60427, directed by Shulamit Lifshitz of The Ma’aleh School of Film and Television, captivated audiences with its story of a young girl uncovering her grandmother’s Holocaust diary.

Israeli actress and producer Gal Gadot presented the 2024 IFF Industry Leadership Award to Ynon Kreiz, Chairman and CEO of Mattel, for his role in the success of Barbie, the company’s first global film. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to celebrated Israeli actor and comedian Shaike Levi.

For the first time, the festival hosted a panel of Israeli-American producers exploring opportunities for co-productions between American and Israeli film industries. Additionally, a Community Partner screening series premiered 20 exclusive films sponsored by Jewish and Israeli nonprofit organizations in Los Angeles.

The Israel Film Festival has become a cornerstone for showcasing the diversity and richness of Israeli cinema. The 37th edition is already slated for November 2025, promising to continue its tradition of highlighting exceptional storytelling and fostering cultural exchange.

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