FEATURE FILMS Archives - Israel Film Festival

CLOSING NIGHT – LOST IN TERRITORIES | אבודים בשטחים

Films Editor — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 07:45:28 +0000

Neighboring is always complex. Add to it soldiers, marijuana, terror groups, fences, knives, dancers, guns, rabbis and imams, and you have a complete mayhem. This comedy extracts humor from absurd situations in the West Bank, the “Wild West of the Middle East,” where living together becomes a tricky challenge. Lost in Territories explodes across the screen in five connected, chaotic, and bizarre stories that delve into the daily lunacy of the region.

FOLLOWED BY DESSERT RECEPTION

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RICOCHETS – IN MEMORY OF ALON ABOUTBOUL | שתי אצבעות מצידון

Films Editor — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 14:01:50 +0000

In loving memory of Alon Aboutboul, this special screening is a tribute to an extraordinary artist whose presence shaped generations of Israeli cinema. Marking 40 years since the film’s release, Ricochets stands as a powerful testament to Alon’s depth, sensitivity, and enduring legacy. Set in Lebanon in 1986, the film follows a platoon of Israeli soldiers on the eve of Israel’s withdrawal, capturing the fear, doubt, and moral weight of fighting a guerrilla war amid civilian life. Through Alon Abutbul’s unforgettable performance, Ricochets remains a deeply human portrait of resilience and of an artist whose voice continues to resonate.

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A BURNING MAN | ברנינג מן

Films Editor — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 14:01:42 +0000

A man in his late fifties drives his soldier son to a remote military base. After a quick smoke and pee break, they part ways. The son wave’s goodbye and heads into the camp, but the father, turning his car homeward, is suddenly seized by crushing anxiety for his son’s fate. He turns back, rooting himself beneath a large acacia tree beside the base fence. This is the beginning of a “road movie” that plays out almost entirely in one central location. People come and go, enriching the narrative, influencing the protagonist, and in turn, being influenced by him. And he, Jonah Kimhi, remains beneath the tree, waiting for his son.Just beyond the hills, preparations unfold for a large outdoor festival. A celebration of music, freedom, and youthful spirit in the heart of the desert—a stark contrast to Yona’s emotional and physical state. Elinor, a young woman from the festival’s setup crew, attempts to help Yona find a release from his worries. Likewise, a slightly peculiar real estate agent approaches him, a rental contract in hand, compassion and prayer in his heart. The ending is ecstatic, liberating, and should have been so much better.

Followed by Q&A with Actor Shai Avivi

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BELLA | בלה

Films Editor — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 14:01:28 +0000

When Yaki becomes aware of Bella’s true identity – a curly plumed, extremely valuable dove and his sole inheritance – it’s already too late. Yaki embarks with Bilal, his childhood friend, and their wives on a road trip across Israel and Palestine to bring Bella back. Along the way, they navigate through checkpoints, ruin a wedding, steal the newlyweds’ car, participate in a family reconciliation ceremony, and revive the unconscious dove…. All in order to make it on time to a dove beauty pageant in Jerusalem.

Followed by Q&A with Producer Thomas Alfandari

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CUZ YOU’RE UGLY | כי את מכוערת

Films Editor — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 14:01:23 +0000

Avigail, a wild and insecure midshipwoman, returns home to the stuffy Jerusalem apartment she shares with her dysfunctional mother and her 15-year-old, naïve-looking sister. Avigail hopes to untie the chains of childhood and lose her virginity over the weekend. But her return takes a sharp turn: her young sister is pregnant. Now, instead of getting rid of her virginity, she must get rid of a baby.

Followed by Q&A with director Sharon Angelhart

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DEAD LANGUAGE | שפה זרה

Films Editor — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 14:01:17 +0000

A coincidental encounter propels Aya, who is waiting for her husband at the airport, to pick up a complete stranger instead. The immediate sense of intimacy that sparks between the two sharply ends when the man disappears, leaving Aya with a yearning that perhaps only a complete stranger can fulfill.

Followed by Q&A with Director Mihal Brezis

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EID | עיד

Films Editor — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 14:01:11 +0000

Eid, a young man from Rahat harboring a childhood trauma, escapes into the world of playwriting while secretly yearning for a married actress in Paris. When his family forces him into a marriage, he negotiates an unconventional deal with his wife – a child in exchange for freedom. But a disheartening trip to Paris forces him to confront his past and fight for his true desires within the confines of his traditional Bedouin society.

Followed by Q&A with Director Yosef Abu Mdegem

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HEAVEN AND EARTH | שמיים וארץ

Films Editor — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 14:01:01 +0000

Maya and Aviv Berger have built a seemingly perfect life, a stable relationship, successful careers, and a son they love more than anything. But when a series of medical tests reveals a shocking secret, their world begins to unravel. As Maya delves deeper in search of the truth, she uncovers strange inconsistencies and half-truths that lead her back to an event from years ago. What begins as a medical challenge soon transforms into a gripping mystery, one that culminates in a stunning revelation.

Followed by Q&A With Actress Hila Saada, Director Ruby Doaniass and Screenwriter Rinat Levy Tangi

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MAMA | מאמא

Films Editor — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 14:00:45 +0000

Spending 15 years apart from her family in order to build their future, Mila has become comfortable in the wealthy landscape of her employer. When an accident sends her unexpectedly back home to rural Poland, Mila has to face a new truth: her husband and daughter’s lives have been moving on without her.

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MY ONE AND ONLY | האחד והיחיד שלי

Films Editor — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 14:00:39 +0000

Weeks after giving birth to her first child, a young religious woman arrives at her Rabbi’s wife’s home, claiming her husband has been replaced. He looks identical, but she insists he’s a double, yet fears institutionalization if she seeks police help. The Rabbi’s wife believes she needs psychiatric care, but the Rabbi interprets it as taking a Midrash too literally, expecting it to resolve itself. From there, everything spirals. This multi-character mystery drama explores how people change in relationships, the difference between falling in love and staying in love, and what must be endured between them.

Followed by a Q&A with Director David Tauber and Producer Eliya Tauber

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