By Maria Esteves - November 4, 2008

The 23rd Israel Film Festival (IFF) in New York presented by IsraFest Foundation, celebrates Israel's 60th Anniversary is held at the Clearview Cinemas, October 29 - November 13, 2008. The spectacular Opening Night Gala, Awards Ceremony, and U.S. premiere of LOST ISLANDS, directed by Reshef Levy commenced at 7:00 PM at the luxurious Ziegfeld Theatre on Wednesday, October 29, 2008. Directors, producers, musicians,
actors, celebrities, dignitaries, industry professionals, and special guests attended the Opening Night Gala. IFF founder/executive director Meir Fenigstein graciously opened the 23rd Israel Film Festival in New York.
The Opening Night reception held at the Flatotel Hotel immediately followed the Opening Night U.S. premiere of LOST ISLANDS.

This year's festival includes 18 premieres, 11 features, 14 documentaries, six shorts; filmmaker's panel discussion, special events, awards ceremonies, and gala receptions. 2008 IFF selection of historical films dedicated to Israel's 60th Anniversary are "The True Story of Palestine,"directed by Joel Silberg; "Homeland," directed by Dani Rosenberg; "Children of the Sun," directed by Ran Tal; "Altalena," directed by Eli Cohen; and "The Little Traitor, " directed by Lynn Roth. For further information or to purchase tickets call 1.877.966.5566, or email festival@israelfilmfestival.org.

2008 IFF Opening Night Gala red carpet arrivals: magazine editor/publisher
Mort Zuckerman, New York Daily News, (right), with 2008 IFF Lifetime
Achievement Award winner producer/director/writer Irwin Winkler.

2008 IFF Opening Night Gala red carpet arrivals:
2008 IFF Lifetime Achievement Award winner
producer/director/writer Irwin Winkler.

2008 IFF Opening Night Gala red carpet arrivals: IFF founder
/executive director Meir Fenigstein, (left), with Lifetime
Visionary Award winner, actor/producer/director/writer
Danny DeVito, (center), and his wife actress Rhea Perlman.

2008 IFF Opening Night Gala red carpet
arrivals: actress Julia Levy, U.S. Premiere
"Altalena."

2008 IFF Opening Night Gala red carpet arrivals: IFF founder/executive director Meir Fenigstein, (right), with Lifetime Visionary Award winner, actor/producer/director/writer Danny DeVito, (center), and legendary entertainer singer/actress Lainie Kazan.

2008 IFF Opening Night Gala red carpet arrivals: (From left to right),
IFF founder/executive director Meir Fenigstein, with Outstanding
Achievement in Film Award winner, producer/director/writer
Edward Zwick, Lifetime Visionary Award winner, actor/producer
/director/writer Danny DeVito and IFF award presenter
actor/director/writer Liev Schreiber.

2008 IFF Opening Night Gala Awards Ceremony:
Consul General of Israel in New York Assaf Shariv.

2008 IFF Opening Night Gala Awards Ceremony:
IFF award presenter, magazine editor/publisher
Mort Zuckerman, New York Daily News.

2008 IFF Opening Night Gala Awards Ceremony: IFF award presenter,
actor Michael Douglas.

2008 IFF Opening Night Gala Awards Ceremony: Lifetime Visionary
Award winner, actor/producer/director/writer Danny DeVito.

2008 IFF Opening Night Gala Awards Ceremony: Outstanding Achievement
in Film Award winner, producer/director/writer Edward Zwick.