22ND ISRAEL FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS CEREMONY

By Maria Esteves – November 23, 2007

The 22nd Israel Film Festival 2007 (IFF) Awards Ceremony honoring humanitarian, cinematic, and lifetime achievement awards was held at the Directors Guild of America Theater, New York, Tuesday, October 23, 2007, 7:30 PM. The Closing Night Awards Ceremony acknowledging the best documentary, television drama, and feature film (Panavision Audience Choice) was held at the Clearview Cinemas, New York, Thursday, November 8, 2007, 7:30 PM.

Since 1982, IFF founded by Meir Fenigstein of the IsraFest Foundation, Inc. annually present the largest Israeli film festival by talented filmmakers in the United States. The festival is an opportunity to experience Israel through the world of cinema. IFF members are Founder/Director, Meir Fenigstein; Honorary Chair, Arnon Milchan; 2007 IFF Co-Chairmen, Bernie Brillstein, David Brown, and James Schamus.

2007 IFF presented by The IsraFest Foundation proud sponsors are JDATE.com, Sony Pictures, The Jewish Federation, Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles and New York, The Ted Arison Family Foundation, Israel Film Fund, Avi Chai, The Hollywood Reporter, Miriam & Sheldon G. Adelson, IMAGINE, Modern Videofilm, New York Post, EL AL Airlines, VARIETY, PANAVISION, Security Couriers, Inc., The Ant Farm, Drissi Advertising, Media Arsenal, Nuimage, HBO, The Jewish Journal, Regency, LA Weekly, Cinema Project, Foundation, Mifaal Ha Pais, Bank Leumi, United King Films, DreamWorks, The New York Sun, ORLY, Hagafen Cellars, BINYAMINA, Universal Telecom Services, Inc., Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel, Moshe Tal, Israel Ministry of Immigration & Absortion, FORWARD, Arturo Constantiner, M.D., and AMS/PACIFIC Limousine Transportation.

This year's festival celebrated the richness and diversity of Israeli filmmaking. The festival included ten features, fifteen documentaries, four television dramas and six shorts. The festival also included filmmaker's Q&A, panel discussion, and gala receptions.

2007 IFF ceremony included six awards within six categories. A combination of cash awards and honorable mention awards were presented to the following winners:

Best Documentary Film Award, presented to director Arik Henig for RABIN - PERES: EVERYTHING IS PERSONAL.

Best Television Drama Film Award, presented to director Ron Ninio for A TOUCH AWAY.

Panavision Audience Choice Award, (best feature film in Los Angeles & New York), presented to director Shemi Zarhin for AVIVA MY LOVE.

Humanitarian Award, presented to producer, Leon Constatiner.

Cinematic Achievement Award, IFF, presented to Executive Director, Katriel Schory, Israel Film Fund.

Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to director/producer/actor, Ron Silver.