Israel plans to withdraw funding for national accolades following a film about a Palestinian youth receiving an award
In a dramatic turn of events, Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar has announced that funding for the national film awards, the Ophir Awards, will be withdrawn starting in 2026. This decision comes after the best feature film prize was awarded to a film featuring a Palestinian boy's story at this year's Ophir Awards.
Zohar described the Ophir Awards as a "pathetic ceremony" and stated that Israeli citizens should not have to pay for a ceremony that disrespects their soldiers. The Culture Minister's decision follows a call by Palestinian filmmakers to reject silence, racism, and dehumanization in the film industry, which has prompted over 3,000 actors and directors to sign a pledge to boycott Israeli film institutions.
Assaf Amir, chair of the Israeli Academy of Film and Television, has spoken out about the Minister's decision, stating that the selection of "The Sea" is a response to the culture minister's statement and recent boycott calls from the international film community. "The Sea," directed and written by Israeli filmmaker Shai Carmeli-Pollak, is Israel's entry for the best international film Oscar.
"The Sea" follows a Palestinian boy whose school trip to Tel Aviv’s beach is blocked at the border, prompting him to embark on a dangerous journey to sneak into Israel. The film's young star, Mohammad Gazawi, who plays Khaled, won the Ophir for best actor, while co-star Khalifa Natour received the award for best supporting actor.
Baher Agbariya, a producer of the film and one of the 1.6 million Arab citizens of Israel, thanked the Israel Film Fund for supporting the film. However, the investigation by Israeli rights groups regarding the funding withdrawal is ongoing, with no specific details provided as yet.
The Ophir Awards are voted on by members of the Israeli Academy of Film and Television. The boycott, which includes filmmakers such as Yorgos Lanthimos, Ava DuVernay, Asif Kapadia, Boots Riley, and Joshua Oppenheimer, has been met with criticism from workers in the Israeli film industry, who describe it as "deeply troubling."
Paramount, a Hollywood studio, has also weighed in on the boycott, stating that it does not promote better understanding or advance the cause of peace. The future of the Ophir Awards remains uncertain, with the Israeli film industry facing a challenging period ahead.
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