Israeli Film Festival Season 29
Saturday, Mar 22, 2025
Saturday, March 22nd – Sunday, March 30th
Live at The Weitzman and Various Locations
In 2025, the Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia marks its 29th year. The Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia is a celebration of Israeli culture, with the aim of enriching the American vision of Israeli culture and society through film. Each season, a slate of feature films and documentaries are selected to provide a diverse and impartial reflection of Israel.
It is our goal to be both entertaining and informative. Our program includes feature films, dramas, comedies and documentaries that are award-winning and have received wide recognition both in Israel and abroad. As a non-profit organization, the continuing success of the IFF is due, in large part, to support from various organizations and private donors.
The IFF is funded through ticket sales, personal and corporate contributions, as well as in-kind contributions. Organizational support is provided by The Center for Israel and Overseas, the Consulate General of Israel in New York, and a wide array of community partners.
29th Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia Lineup Below
Bliss חמדה | The Weitzman
Saturday, March 22 | 8 pm Gala Reception, 9 pm Movie
$38
Directed by Shemi Zarhin
Drama | Israel | 2024 | 125 min | Hebrew with English Subtitles
Step into the lives of Sassi and Efi, an endearing couple whose love and humor light up the screen in Shemi Zarhin’s acclaimed film Bliss. As they navigate the struggles of life, including the debts left behind by Sassi’s estranged son, their world is suddenly shaken by the arrival of two young men. Sassi’s free-spirited grandson, and a former student of Efi, bring unexpected challenges and revelations that test the strength of their relationship. With a delicate balance of warmth, wit, and raw emotion, Bliss is a profound exploration of love, loyalty, and the bonds that define us.
Starring some of Israel’s most celebrated actors, Sasson Gabay (The Band’s Visit) and Assi Levy (Aviva, My Love), this beautiful drama has captivated audiences worldwide. Premiering as a centerpiece at the Toronto International Film Festival, Bliss has earned critical acclaim for its heartfelt performances and relatable storytelling.
Join IFF for a gala reception at 8 pm, with director Shemi Zarhin in attendance. Movie will begin at 9 pm, followed by a Q&A session with Shemi Zarhin.
Shemi Zarhin is an acclaimed Israeli novelist and film director. He was born in Tiberias and studied film at Tel Aviv University. His movies include titles such as Bonjour Monsieur Shlomi (2003), Aviva My Love (2006), and The World is Funny (2012). His first novel Some Day was a bestseller in Israel.
Children of Nobody ילדים של אף אחד | The Weitzman
Sunday, March 23 | 3:30 pm
$22 General Admission | $20 Senior | $20 Student
Directed by Erez Tadmor
Drama | Israel | 2023 | 108 min | Hebrew with English Subtitles
Set in Tel Aviv’s Neve Tzedek neighborhood, Children of Nobody follows Jackie (Roy Assaf), a former at-risk youth, who inherits the responsibility of running a crumbling shelter for neglected and abused teens after the passing of its founder, Margalit (Tiki Dayan). When the shelter faces demolition to make way for a boutique hotel, Jackie and the residents band together to challenge the municipality and fight for the only home they’ve ever known. Directed by Erez Tadmor (A Matter of Size, The Art of Waiting, both screened at the Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia), this gripping tale captures the struggles of marginalized youth and the power of community.
Recipient of the Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award at the Kolkata International Film Festival, Children of Nobody resonates with audiences worldwide through its moving performances and themes of social justice and resilience. With its deeply human storytelling and inspiring message, this film offers a rare glimpse into the lives of those often overlooked.
Join us for a Q&A session following the movie with director Erez Tadmor.
Erez Tadmor is an acclaimed Israeli film director, screenwriter, and producer known for his impactful storytelling and exploration of human connections and societal issues. Born in 1974, Tadmor graduated from the Camera Obscura School of Art in Tel Aviv and gained international recognition for his short films, including Strangers (2003), co-directed with Guy Nattiv, which won several awards at prestigious festivals like Sundance. His feature films, such as Magic Men (2014), A Matter of Size (2009), and Wounded Land (2015), showcase his talent for blending humor, drama, and cultural insights, often addressing themes of identity, conflict, and resilience. Tadmor’s work has earned critical acclaim, multiple Ophir Awards, and a significant place in Israeli cinema.
Soda סודה | The Weitzman
Sunday, March 23 | 7 pm
$22 General Admission | $20 Senior | $20 Student
Directed by Erez Tadmor
Drama, Historical | Israel | 2024 | 96 min | Hebrew with English Subtitles
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Sea of Galilee in 1956, Soda tells the powerful story of Eva, a seamstress whose arrival in a close-knit community of Holocaust survivors sets off a storm of emotions and questions. As whispers about her past as a possible Kapo during the Holocaust spread, Eva finds herself at the center of a moral conflict. This heart-wrenching narrative explores love, redemption, and the scars of history that refuse to fade.
Featuring performances by Lior Raz (Fauda) and Rotem Sela (Beauty and the Baker), Soda captures the essence of human resilience and the complexities of forgiveness. Directed by Erez Tadmor, the film has already earned critical acclaim, receiving multiple nominations at the 2024 Ophir Awards.
Join us for a Q&A session with director Erez Tadmor following the movie.
Erez Tadmor is an acclaimed Israeli film director, screenwriter, and producer known for his impactful storytelling and exploration of human connections and societal issues. Born in 1974, Tadmor graduated from the Camera Obscura School of Art in Tel Aviv and gained international recognition for his short films, including Strangers (2003), co-directed with Guy Nattiv, which won several awards at prestigious festivals like Sundance. His feature films, such as Magic Men (2014), A Matter of Size (2009), and Wounded Land (2015), showcase his talent for blending humor, drama, and cultural insights, often addressing themes of identity, conflict, and resilience. Tadmor’s work has earned critical acclaim, multiple Ophir Awards, and a significant place in Israeli cinema.
His Own Way אבי נשר – מילים להחלפה | Narberth Theater
Tuesday, March 25 | 7 pm
$22 General Admission | $20 Senior | $20 Student
Directed by Yair Raveh
Documentary | Israel | 2024 | 120 min | Hebrew with English Subtitles
Dive into the extraordinary career of Avi Nesher, one of Israeli cinema’s most iconic filmmakers. This captivating documentary chronicles Nesher’s remarkable journey through five decades of filmmaking, from his groundbreaking debut with The Troupe to beloved classics like Turn Left at the End of the World and The Matchmaker. Combining personal anecdotes, behind-the-scenes stories, and interviews with family, colleagues, and film scholars, the film paints a vivid portrait of the man behind the lens.
With his work reflecting the evolution of Israeli society, Nesher’s films have become cultural touchstones that explore themes of identity, history, and resilience. His Own Way offers audiences an intimate and inspiring look at a visionary whose storytelling continues to shape the landscape of Israeli cinema.
Midlife אמצע החיים | Narberth Theater
Thursday, March 27 | 7 pm
$22 General Admission | $20 Senior | $20 Student
Directed by Danni Reisfeld and Yariv Horowitz
Drama | Israel | 2024 | 98 min | Hebrew with English Subtitles
Midlife is a deeply moving Israeli drama that explores themes of faith, family, and transformation through the intertwined lives of two sisters. When Ahinoam leaves her ultra-Orthodox husband, she seeks refuge with her estranged sister Sari. Sari, who has long abandoned their religious upbringing, struggles with her own marital issues and a health crisis, creating a tense and emotional reunion. As Ahinoam rebuilds her life within a spiritual community in the West Bank, the sisters grapple with their shared history, divergent paths, and the possibility of reconciliation.
Directed by Danni Reisfeld and Yariv Horowitz, Midlife delves into the complexities of religious identity, familial bonds, and the pursuit of redemption. The film portrays a profound journey of second chances and the enduring power of love.
The Ring הטבעת | Gratz College
Saturday, March 29 | 9 pm
$22 General Admission | $20 Senior | $20 Student
Directed by Adir Miller, Doron Paz and Yoav Paz
Drama | Israel | 2024 | 121 min | Hebrew, English, Hungarian with English Subtitles
The Ring is a poignant tale of survival, redemption, and family inspired by true events. In 1944 Hungary, a young Jewish mother saves herself and her infant son from deportation by bribing a soldier with her cherished ring. Decades later in Israel, her son, now an observant Jew and estranged from his daughter, sets out to recover the ring as his mother’s health declines.
Their journey to Budapest reveals hidden family secrets, unspoken generational traumas, and the chance for reconciliation. Balancing humor and heartfelt drama, The Ring offers a moving exploration of love, identity, and the unbreakable bonds of family.
Highway 65 כביש הסרגל | The Weitzman
Sunday, March 30 | 4 pm Movie, 6 pm Dessert Reception
$22 General Admission | $20 Senior | $20 Student
Directed by Maya Dreifuss
Crime, Drama, Thriller | Israel | 2024 | 102 min | Hebrew with English Subtitles
A compelling drama that delves into mystery and human connection. Set against the sweltering backdrop of Afula, far from Tel Aviv’s hustle, the film follows a 41-year-old police officer adjusting to life in a quiet town. Her routine is shattered by the disappearance of Orly Elimelech, a magnetic army widow and former beauty queen, raising a troubling question: why isn’t anyone searching for her?
As the investigation unfolds, the officer’s relentless pursuit of the truth pushes her to cross personal and professional boundaries, unraveling secrets hidden beneath the town’s calm exterior. Winner of the Grand Prix at the Reims Polar Film Festival, Highway 65 is a masterful blend of suspense and emotional depth, offering audiences a gripping cinematic experience.
Join us for a dessert reception following the movie, catered by Lilah Events (Zahav Group).
Matchmaking 2 בחורים טובים 2 | The Weitzman
Sunday, March 30 | 6 pm Dessert Reception, 7 pm Movie
$22 General Admission | $20 Senior | $20 Student
Directed by Erez Tadmor
Comedy | Israel | 2024 | 110 min | Hebrew with English Subtitles
Matchmaking 2 (2024), directed by Erez Tadmor, is the delightful sequel to the acclaimed romantic comedy Matchmaking (screened at the Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia in 2023). Returning to the vibrant world of macthmaking in the Orthodox Jewish community, the film offers a fresh and witty exploration of love, relationships, and tradition.
With familiar characters navigating new romantic entanglements and societal pressures, Matchmaking 2 seamlessly blends humor, heart, and cultural authenticity. This charming sequel is a standout in contemporary Israeli cinema, offering audiences a captivating and insightful celebration of the search for love in a traditional setting.
Join us for a dessert reception before the movie, catered by Lilah Events (Zahav Group).
