If you are visiting Israel at the moment or within the next two weeks, you may possibly take part in one of the world’s most prestigious film events, The Jerusalem Film Festival.

The festival is the brain child of Lia van Leer, who inaugurated the first festival on May 17, 1984. Lia van Leer and her husband Wim (z”l) were the founders and moving spirit behind the establishment of the Jerusalem Cinemateque in the Hinnom Valley, but strongly supported by George Ostrovsky, of Brazil and Paris, as well as former mayor of Jerusalem Teddy Kollek (z”l) and the Jerusalem Foundation.

Since its establishment the Jerusalem Film Festival has matured into its present form, stretching over 10 days, showing 150-200 films in all genres and celebrating the best of international feature films, documentaries, Jewish experience of identity and history, television dramas, directors, and of course encouraging the blossoming Israeli film industry.

The Festival has move outside the building and showrooms of the Cinemateque building in Jerusalem and this year also offers showing in public places without entrance fees, such as the new Alrov-Mamilla Mall, The Ticho House and other places.

The Festival every year honors film makers with Life Achievement Awards. This years awards go to Theo Angelopoulos, Yosef Shiloah, Nurit and Yitzhak (Ijo) Shani and the Sam Spiegel School of Film and Television.

There will also be special lectures or talks, a way for the public to meet festival guests. These guests will focus on varius subjects: Karin Albou will talk about Le Chant des Mariees, Theo Angeloppoulos on The Dust of Time, Gerald Peary on Criticism, Audience and Changing Reality, and Valie Export on Can Art Still Shock.

The Festival will for many Israelis and Jerusalemites take over their lives during these coming 10 days, starting on July 9th. As said, if you happen to be in Jerusalem during this period, hurry up and book tickets (if they are still available).

The official site of The Jerusalem Film Festival.